Abstract
Abstract Seed availability in the algarrobal of the Monte desert, Argentina, as in other deserts, is highly heterogeneous at small scales and is associated with vegetation structure. Granivores are expected to use space selectively (within the capacities of their foraging techniques), resulting in a heterogeneous effect on the seed bank. First, we describe the foraging repertoire of granivorous birds in the algarrobal to develop predictions about their expected use of space. Although the granivory guild as a whole tracked the temporal availability of seeds, species within the guild differed in foraging behavior and seasonal changes. We assessed selection of space by foraging birds through a two-scale bird-centered analysis, comparing the distributions of used and available sites. Granivorous birds, considered as a guild, used the whole range of available microsites, though as a result of an aggregation of contrasting partial patterns. Microsites with more cover of shrubs, grasses, and litter were preferre...
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