Abstract
Ecological restoration aims to retrieve not only the structure but also the functionality of ecosystems. Frugivorous birds may play an important role in this process due to their efficiency in seed dispersal. Color perception in these animals is highly developed, and then the colors of fleshy fruits may provide important clues for choosing plant species for restoration plans. This study aims to integrate bird color preferences and restoration of degraded areas, with an objective to evaluate the potential attractiveness to birds by colored fruits. We carried out an experiment with 384 artificial fruits made of edible modeling clay with the following colors: black, blue, green and red, with 96 fruits of each color in six sites, including four restored areas and two second-growth forest fragments. We also tested the possible effect of light intensity on fruit consumption by color. A total of 120 (38.6%) were assumed to be consumed by birds, and the fruit consumption varied in response to the location and light incidence. Consumption of black and blue fruits was not related to site by chance. Notwithstanding, red and black fruits were consumed significantly more than any other colors, emphasizing bird preference to these colors, regardless of location. Enrichment with shade tolerant shrubs or forest species with black or red fruits may be an alternative way to manage established restorations. In recently established or new restorations, one may introduce pioneer shrubs or short-lived forest species which have blue fruits, but also those having black or red ones.
Highlights
Humans have converted large areas of tropical, native vegetation into landscapes of mixed crops, pastureland, and frequently isolated remnants of native vegetation (Laurance and Bierregaard, 1997; Steffen et al, 2011)
The incidence of light was heterogeneous within the study area; sites F1 and RN1 were the most homogeneous in terms of the plots light incidence, while RN2 and RO2
We found no influence of light exposition on fruit consumption by birds, even though this may affect color conspicuousness (e.g. Cazetta et al, 2009)
Summary
Humans have converted large areas of tropical, native vegetation into landscapes of mixed crops, pastureland, and frequently isolated remnants of native vegetation (Laurance and Bierregaard, 1997; Steffen et al, 2011) Such mosaics have led to an impoverishment in tropical biodiversity (Fahrig, 2003) and losses of functionality and ecosystem services, as pest and diseases control and plant recruitment (Classen et al, 2014; Gray and Lewis, 2014; Moleón et al, 2014). Ecological restoration aims to assist the recovery of a degraded ecosystem (SER, 2004) within a functional perspective, allowing goals of increasing ecosystem sustainability and their services (Suding, 2011; Stanturf et al, 2014). The maintenance of species diversity is considered an important regulating ecosystem service (Isbell et al, 2011)
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