Granivory and germination data for: "Tree encroachment impacts on seed predator selection and seedling establishment in degraded pine woodlands"

These data examine the impact of seed predators, substrate type, vegetation cover, and species identity on seed predation and germination of longleaf pine and four common invading tree species (loblolly pine, sweetgum, red maple, and water oak) in southeastern pine woodlands in North Carolina in the winter and early spring between 2018 and 2019. Four treatments (vertebrate seed predator exclusion + midstory retention, vertebrate seed predator exclusion + midstory removal, midstory retention only, and midstory exclusion only) were included in this study which included all combinations of vertebrate seed predator exclusion and midstory hardwood removal. Data are provided in two separate files, with the first file containing germination counts as well as vegetation percent cover data. The second file contains granivory data from cafeteria trials which includes percentage of seeds predated for loblolly pine, longleaf pine, red maple, sweetgum, and water oak.
The purpose of this study was to document the impact of granivory, substrate, and vegetation on tree species assembly in southeastern pine woodlands.
For more information about this study and these data see Willis et al. (2021). These data were published on 02/08/2021. Minor metadata updates made on 10/30/2024.