Scatter-hoarding rodents play a central role in seed dispersal, predating and dispersing seeds that affect many plant species’ population dynamics and influence forest regeneration. Anthropogenic changes in forest structure, such as clear-cutting in dense forests, may alter the ecological interactions between seeds and dispersers. This study compared predation and dispersal patterns of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) acorns by wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus L.) in original dense forest [less managed forest (MF)] vs open MF (more MF) in north-eastern Spain. Results showed variations in the patterns of acorn predation and dispersal by wood mouse between forest types. In the MF, a greater fraction of acorns was harvested, and the acorns were being dispersed further than in the original forest. Despite the greater fraction of acorns dispersed in the MF, the proportion of acorns that survived and had the potential to grow was reduced in the MF because of increased predation. This shows that forest management has a significant influence on seed dispersal by rodents and thereby influences the natural regeneration potential of forests.

中文翻译：

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人类森林管理对分散囤积啮齿动物种子传播模式的影响

分散囤积啮齿动物在种子传播、捕食和传播种子方面发挥着核心作用，影响许多植物物种的种群动态并影响森林再生。森林结构的人为变化，例如茂密森林的砍伐，可能会改变种子和传播者之间的生态相互作用。本研究比较了原始茂密森林 [较少管理的森林 (MF)] 与西班牙东北部开放 MF（较多 MF）中木鼠 (Apodemus sylvaticus L.) 对圣栎 (Quercus ilex L.) 橡子的捕食和扩散模式。结果显示，林鼠捕食橡子和扩散的模式在不同森林类型之间存在差异。在 MF 中，收获了更多的橡子，并且橡子的分布范围比原始森林更远。尽管大部分橡子分散在 MF 中，由于捕食增加，MF 中存活并有生长潜力的橡子比例减少。这表明森林管理对啮齿动物种子传播有重大影响，从而影响森林的自然更新潜力。