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Squirrels reduce post-fire regeneration potential in serotinous pines.
Carmen Guiote1, Eduardo T Mezquida2,3, Juli G Pausas1
1Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación (CIDE-CSIC), Ctra. Náquera Km. 4.5, Moncada, E-46113 Valencia, Spain.
Annals of Botany
|July 9, 2026
Summary
Pre-dispersal seed predation by squirrels significantly reduces the canopy seed bank in Mediterranean pine forests. This predation compromises the regeneration of serotinous species, especially with increasing fire frequency.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Forestry
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Serotiny is crucial for plant survival in fire-prone environments, enabling seed release post-fire.
- Serotinous cones are also a food source for seed predators, potentially reducing seed availability.
- Seed predators can influence cone traits, further impacting canopy seed banks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how seed predation affects the size of canopy seed banks in serotinous species.
- To quantify the impact of pre-dispersal seed predation on seed bank reduction.
- To understand the selection pressures exerted by predators on cone traits.
Main Methods:
- Field sampling in Pinus halepensis forests with and without European red squirrels.
- Quantification of cone production, serotiny, and seed predation rates.
- Characterization of cones and seeds to estimate seed bank size and predation effects.
Main Results:
- Pre-dispersal seed predation by squirrels reduced the canopy seed bank by approximately 65%.
- Predation impacts seed banks through direct cone removal and selection against serotiny.
- Seed defenses were observed to increase under predation pressure.
Conclusions:
- Seed predation can significantly diminish canopy seed banks, hindering post-fire regeneration of serotinous plants.
- This effect is particularly concerning given the rising fire frequency in the Mediterranean.
- Conservation strategies may need to consider the role of seed predators in ecosystem dynamics.
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