Use of restoration plantings to enhance bird seed dispersal at the roadside: failures and prospects

    Rocío de Torres Info
    María Dolores Jiménez Info
    Álvaro Ramírez Info
    Ignacio Mola Info
    Miguel A. Casado Info
    Luis Balaguer Info
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/16486897.2015.1079529

Abstract

Plantings are commonly used in roadside reclamation for ornamental purposes and for increasing slope stability and road safety. However, the role of these plantings in restoring ecological processes, such as seed dispersal, has received little attention. We carried out a study to assess the potential role of plantings on roadside embankments to attract frugivorous birds and to enhance seed dispersal mediated by birds from the surrounding landscape. We examined: (1) bird species richness and abundance; (2) patterns of avian spatial distribution within embankments and (3) seed dispersal mediated by birds. Bird richness and abundance did not differ between embankments with and without plantings. However, birds were not distributed randomly within embankments, with levels of species richness and abundance for facultative frugivorous between 4.8–8 times higher in areas closer to plantings. An analysis of bird droppings showed that birds only dispersed seeds of the planted species since no seeds of woody plants from matrices were detected. These results suggest that plantings acted as selective bird attractors, providing food and perches for frugivorous species. Nevertheless, the scarcity of seed-dispersing birds in the surrounding agricultural landscape prevented plantings from enhancing seed dispersal and connectivity to adjacent habitat.

Keywords:

ecological connectivity, ecological memory, landscape structure, mobile links, ornamental plantings, landfills

How to Cite

Torres, R. de, Jiménez, M. D., Ramírez, Álvaro, Mola, I., A. Casado, M., & Balaguer, L. (2015). Use of restoration plantings to enhance bird seed dispersal at the roadside: failures and prospects. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 23(4), 302–311. https://doi.org/10.3846/16486897.2015.1079529

Share

Published in Issue
October 29, 2015
Abstract Views
733

View article in other formats

CrossMark check

CrossMark logo

Published

2015-10-29

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Torres, R. de, Jiménez, M. D., Ramírez, Álvaro, Mola, I., A. Casado, M., & Balaguer, L. (2015). Use of restoration plantings to enhance bird seed dispersal at the roadside: failures and prospects. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 23(4), 302–311. https://doi.org/10.3846/16486897.2015.1079529

Share