Seed dormancy explains plant response to mass mortality events

Mass mortality events (MMEs) are large-scale, rapid die-offs resulting in extreme inputs of carrion biomass. Recent work demonstrates the effects of increasing carrion biomass on plant communities modulated by vertebrate scavengers and herbivores. However, the mechanisms underlying plant response to MMEs remain unclear. We hypothesized that carrion decomposition would interact with vertebrate herbivory and scavenging to generate distinct ecological filters on plants grouped by three seed dormancy classes (no dormancy, physiological dormancy, and physical dormancy). We designed a replicated field experiment crossing two levels of carrion biomass (~30 kg and ~360 kg) with three levels of vertebrate exclusion (open/no exclusion, scavenger exclusion, and herbivore exclusion) to quantify plant extirpation and colonization, plant performance, and the response of simulated seed bank and seed rain. We measured carrion decomposition rate, plant tissue nutrients (N, P, and K), seed survival, plan...,
Materials and Methods

Replication statement

We conducted simulated mass mortality events of herbivores and scavengers by crossing exclusion and carrion biomass treatments. Several response variables related to vertebrate and vegetation response enabled measurement of these treatments. To facilitate the interpretation of replication and scale, we present these response variables in the context of scale of inference, scale of treatment, and number of appropriate replicates.

Response variable

Scale of inference
Scale at which factor of interest is applied
Number of replicates at the appropriate scale

Response of vertebrate herbivores (# of observations)
Plot (70 m2)
Plot (70 m2)
4, 4 blocks with a 3x2 factorial design (n = 6) + 1 reference plot (6 treatment plots, 1 reference plot); block is the level of replication

Response of vertebrate scavengers (# of observations)

Carrion decomposition rate

Plant colonization (binary 0/1)

Plant extirpation (binary 0/1..., , # Data from: Seed dormancy explains plant response to mass mortality events

**Authors**: David S. Mason, Abby K. Jones, Brandon T. Barton, Mike Proctor, Stephen L. Webb, & Marcus A. Lashley

**Corresponding Author**: [David Mason; [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])]

**Manuscript Status**: In Press

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## Description

This data package accompanies the manuscript *Seed dormancy explains plant response to mass mortality events*, which investigates how seed traits mediate plant community responses following vertebrate mass mortality events. The study integrates data on plant traits and fitness, seed survival, and vertebrate herbivory, scavenging to understand indirect effects of carrion on plant communities.

**Keywords**: carrion, decomposition, seed bank, seed rain, scavengers, herbivores, indirect effects, disturbance, community assembly

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## Clean Data Files

| File Name | Description ...,