INVESTIGADORES
BORGHI Carlos Eduardo
artículos
Título:
Effect of spatial and temporal heterogeneity on granivory in the Monte Desert, Argentina.
Autor/es:
P. L. SASSI; J. TORT,; C. E. BORGHI
Revista:
AUSTRAL ECOLOGY
Referencias:
Año: 2004 vol. 29 p. 661 - 666
ISSN:
1442-9985
Resumen:
An important aspect of arid regions is the spatial heterogeneity
resulting from differences among plant communities. There are process
differences among different vegetation patches increasing variability
in the functioning of the ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to
estimate granivory, by studying variation of seed removal rates among
patches at the local scale and variation according to seed type. We
carried out experiments during four seasons in three plant communities
in the Monte Desert, Argentina: peladal, mesquite forest and
creosotebush. Seed trays were offered to ants, birds and rodents. Two
types of commercial seeds (sunflower and millet) were used. We found
that seed removal rate was significantly different among plant
communities, among taxa (birds, ants and murid rodents), and among
seasons, and that removal rate was higher for sunflower. Seed removal
rates by murid rodents were higher than by birds or ants, and
occasionally as high as those found in other deserts. The heterogeneity
of seed removal patterns at the local level was as strong as that found
between continents. Further studies may show similar local
heterogeneity in other deserts of the world.