Disentangling Multitrophic Interactions: How Vegetation Cover, Wild Boar, Deer, and Predators Shape Rodents Activity...

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Forestry
• Wildlife Management

Background:

• Multitrophic interactions are crucial for ecosystem functions.
• Rodents are effective seed dispersers in Mediterranean oak forests, but face predation and disturbance.
• Previous studies often overlook the complex interplay of multiple species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how vegetation structure, carnivores, deer, and wild boars influence rodent activity and seed dispersal.
• To differentiate the impacts of various ungulate species on rodent behavior.
• To reveal indirect ecological pathways affecting forest regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Combined camera trapping and piecewise structural equation modeling.
• Analyzed the influence of vegetation structure, carnivores, and ungulates on rodent activity.
• Separated the effects of different ungulate species (deer vs. wild boar).

Main Results:

• Rodent activity positively correlated with shrub density for cover.
• Wild boars negatively impacted rodent activity and acorn dispersal; deer had no significant effect.
• Acorn dispersal distances were mediated by vegetation cover, with most dispersal occurring under shrubs.

Conclusions:

• Wild boars are identified as the primary disruptor of rodent-mediated seed dispersal in these forests.
• The study highlights the need to consider combined species influences for ecological processes.
• Findings offer insights for managing forest regeneration and biodiversity by addressing specific species impacts.