Density-Dependent Seed Predation of Quercus wutaishanica by Rodents in Response to Different Seed States

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The predation and/or dispersal of Quercus seeds by rodents play an important role in the creation of the tree species. Using the tagging method, we measured the effects of density, storage method, and seed size on rodents’ predation and dispersal behavior. We found that seed survival had a significant negative density-dependent effect; that litter cover and soil burial increased seed in situ time and survival; that in situ feeding rates were significantly higher for small seeds than for large seeds; and that large seeds fed significantly further after dispersal than small seeds. These findings provide insights into the ecological characteristics of Quercus tree regeneration and shed light on the coexistence between rodents and different-sized seeds. ABSTRACT: The predation and/or dispersal of Quercus seeds by rodents play an important role in the creation of the tree species. The present study examined the effects of community habitats on the predation and dispersal of Quercus wutaishanica seeds by rodents. We released seeds with densities set at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 seed square meter with litter cover, soil burial, and bare ground in the Liupan Mountains National Nature Reserve in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, northwest China. The results showed that (1) the litter cover and soil burial significantly increased the seed survival probability compared with bare ground treatments, especially the predation in situ (PIS) (p < 0.05). Both the scatter hoarding (SH) and larder hoarding (LH) for litter cover and soil burial were significantly increased compared with bare ground (p < 0.05). (2) The large seeds are preferentially predated after dispersal and their long-distance dispersal (>5 m) was significantly greater than that of small seeds (p < 0.05), while small seeds are more likely to be preyed on in situ or during short-distance dispersal (<3 m). (3) The Q. wutaishanica seed predation by rodents increased at a high density rather than at a low density, indicating a negative density-dependent predation. These findings provide insights into the ecological characteristics of Quercus tree regeneration and shed light on the coexistence between rodents and different-sized seeds.