Human activity continues to shape
environmental systems around the world creating novel ecosystems that are
increasingly prevalent in what some scientists call the Anthropocene (the age
of humans). The island of Guam is well known as a textbook case for the
devastating effects of invasive species on island ecosystems with the
extirpation of most of the forest dwelling birds due to brown tree snake
predation. The loss of native birds has resulted in a loss of forest seed
dispersers. Recent research conducted by lead author Ann Marie Gawel, based on
her University of Guam master's thesis, has found an unlikely forest ally,
feral pigs.
With the loss of birds in the
limestone forests on Guam, seed dispersal for native plants has become
problematic. The damage caused by ungulates, introduced deer and pigs, has been
documented in tropical forests worldwide. Less documented is the effect of
these animals on seed
dispersal of native and nonnative forest plant species.
Gawel's study examined scat from
deer and pigs foraging in the limestone karst forests of northern Guam. Her
findings indicate that pigs, featherless and flightless, might be one of the
last seed dispersers left on the island to assist in forest regeneration.
Particular to limestone forests, where pigs would be hard pressed to find
places to wallow and root, this study found negative impacts from the presence
of deer but did not detect negative impacts from pigs.
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