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Rodent Seed Dispersal Syndromes Follow a Downslope Trajectory, Counteracting the Climate Change-Mediated Tree Line
Ning Han1, Jing Wang1, Tuo Feng1
1Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Qinling Ecological Security Shaanxi Institute of Zoology Xi'an China.
Ecology and Evolution
|May 14, 2025
Summary
Forest rodents preferentially disperse seeds downhill, conserving energy and influencing plant dispersal patterns. This study highlights the significant, yet often overlooked, impact of terrain slope on seed dispersal by rodents.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Zoology
- Botany
Background:
- Forest rodents are key seed dispersers, with caching influenced by environmental factors.
- The impact of terrain slope on rodent seed dispersal has been largely uninvestigated.
- Understanding seed dispersal is crucial for forest regeneration and plant community dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of slope direction and gradient on the seed dispersal behavior of forest rodents.
- To determine how terrain influences the seed fate and dispersal patterns of *Castanea mollissima*.
- To explore the ecological implications of slope-mediated seed dispersal for forest ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Field study in the Qinling Mountains, China, focusing on scatter-hoarding rodents and *Castanea mollissima* seeds.
- Analysis of seed dispersal patterns in relation to slope direction (uphill/downhill) and gradient (steep/gentle).
- Quantification of seed transport likelihood and translocation distances based on topographic factors.
Main Results:
- Rodents showed a 1.55 times higher likelihood of transporting seeds downhill compared to uphill.
- Mean downhill seed translocation distance was 1.41 times greater than uphill, indicating energy conservation.
- The influence of slope gradient on dispersal was more pronounced on gentle slopes (<35°) than steep ones (>35°).
Conclusions:
- Terrain slope significantly influences rodent seed dispersal behavior, affecting plant dispersal direction.
- Rodent dispersal strategies are shaped by energy conservation and 'landscapes of fear'.
- Findings provide insights into tree adaptation to climate change, particularly uphill migration.
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