The study of clarifying the characteristics of seed dispersal by carnivores in temperate deciduous forest

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To clarify and compare the characteristics of seed dispersal for fleshy fruits by carnivores (Asiatic black bear, marten, and raccoon dog) in Japanese temperate deciduous forest, I investigate the quantitative seed dispersal efficiency such as seed dispersal distance and seed fate of dispersed seed for each agent. In the results, all species have no negative effect of ingested seed for seed viability, and all species are recognized as potentially effective seed disperser. Especially, the bears have longer seed shadows than other seed disperser and consequently may play a unique role in the maintenance and renewal of forest ecosystem.