Data from: Roads shape seed dispersal by rodents and carnivores at forest edges

The influence of road networks on seed dispersal remains poorly
understood. We conducted a field experiment in Mediterranean oak woodlands
of southern Portugal to assess how road type (paved vs. unpaved) and
road-forest context (edge vs. non-edge) shape seed dispersal by rodents
and carnivores. Using labeled acorns and seed mimics, we tracked dispersal
distances, number of dispersals, road crossings, and dispersal directions.
Rodents dispersed seeds farther in forest edges and along paved roadsides,
predominantly moving them parallel to roads, but rarely across—although
crossings were more frequent on unpaved roads. In contrast, carnivores
mediated long-distance dispersal, primarily perpendicular to roads, and
although seed road crossings were rare, carnivore-dispersed seeds crossed
roads—especially unpaved ones—nine times more frequently than
rodent-dispersed seeds. Shrub cover increased rodent-mediated dispersal
events, heavier acorns traveled farther, and water patches decreased
carnivore-mediated dispersal events near roads. These findings highlight
the dual role of roads as barriers and of roadsides as corridors for seed
dispersal, with implications for forest regeneration and habitat
connectivity. Roadside management should prioritize moderate shrub cover
along paved roads to support rodent dispersal while balancing ecological
benefits with potential trade-offs. Unpaved roads, in turn, should be
managed as functional corridors for carnivores, enhancing connectivity
between fragmented forests. By integrating species-specific dispersal
processes into road planning, landscapes can be designed to minimize road
barrier effects while promoting natural regeneration in human-modified
forests.