Seed ecology of 'Castanospermum australe' in subtropical rainforest remnants in northeastern New South Wales

Abstract

Seed predation and seedling recruitment of 'Castanospermum australe' (Fabaceae) were compared among five remnants of subtropical rainforest in the Big Scrub, northeastern New South Wales, Australia, to investigate the effect of forest fragmentation on animal-plant interactions, and some of the mechanisms affecting seed survival. The study followed the fate of the entire seed crop from three trees within each site in 1989. Seed survival was determined at 3-4 weekly intervals during the period of seedfall (April-October) and subsequent seedling survival was measured periodically until July 1994. Patterns of seed removal and types of seed damage attributable to various seed predators were compared between sites. Level of seed removal was also determined for the seed crops produced in 1990 and 1991.