Conclusions
As far as we know, this is the first study proving that seed dispersal
mechanisms combined with the “seedscapes” of plant-associated
antagonists and mutualists shape the spatial assembly of plant
communities (Beckman & Sullivan, 2023). Species dispersed by biotic
agents, such a vertebrate frugivores, can escape from high mortality
close to conspecific saplings and adults, and the spatial template of
dispersed seeds comprises multispecies clumps that prevail and
strengthen until the adult stage. On the other hand, our results suggest
that lack of a long-distance seed dispersal of dry-fruited species
enhances the distance- and density-dependent mortality caused not only
by specialized natural enemies, as predicted by Janzen (1970) and
Connell (1971), but also by more generalist natural enemies as
demonstrated here. Both seed dispersal strategies lead to mature
communities where adults are placed at “safe” neighbourhoods where
antagonists are not overrepresented. From an ecological perspective,
community assembly is at our two Mediterranean forests strongly
determined by the different seed dispersal mechanisms of the local
species, and presence or absence of subsequent Janzen-Connell and
facilitation processes. From an applied perspective, vertebrate
frugivores are key elements in plant communities that should receive
special attention in strategies for forest regeneration and
conservation. Future approaches should explore the cascading effects of
reducing avian frugivores diversity in those forests that require this
kind of agents for their persistence.