Integrating seed dispersal networks into restoration ecology review

While the reassembly of fruit-frugivore interactions remains at the forefront of tropical forest restoration, seed dispersal networks emerge as a potential approach to enhance restoration success. This review explores the integration of seed dispersal networks in tropical forest restoration, with the aims of (1) synthesizing important findings in the literature, (2) detailing potential biases in utilizing network theory, and (3) addressing current knowledge gaps and future directions for the field. We first highlight the importance of combining phytocentric and zoocentric approaches when sampling for seed dispersal interactions, as different methodologies have varying effects on network measures, and combining approaches can foster a more comprehensive understanding of dispersal interactions. Furthermore, when integrating seed dispersal networks to restoration goals, we suggest that a highly connected and species-rich network is desirable for earlier stages of forest succession, where community turnover and transient interactions are pivotal. Nested patterns may emerge throughout varying stages of forest succession, and identifying generalist species that make up nested patterns may be useful for restoration practioners in both early and later stages of forest regeneration. Modularity should be highest at later successional stages of succession to maintain community structure and stability, and connector species may play important roles in facilitating seed dispersal across temporal scales. Finally, we emphasize the importance of site-specific long-term datasets, chronosequences, and studies at large spatial scales to continue to understand network reassembly as a function of tropical forest succession and to develop effective strategies that enhance the recovery of tropical forest ecosystems.

Methods
A comprehensive literature survey was conducted to gather relevant studies aimed at seed dispersal networks in tropical forests using Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The search terms included "seed dispersal network" OR "frugivore* dispersal network" OR "plant-frugivore* network" OR "mutualistic interaction network" AND dispersal in the title, keywords, or abstract. In addition, we checked the Interaction Web Database and the Web of Life Ecological Network Database and searched references listed in studies to build an extensive list of seed dispersal network papers in the tropics. Initial search results returned 2916 articles. The search was then refined by including specific terms related to seed dispersal networks, fruit-frugivore interactions, and tropical regions. After these initial screenings, the abstracts of 428 papers indicated that the research centered around seed dispersal networks in the tropics, and each was then fully analyzed. Studies that met the following criteria were considered for inclusion: (1) overall focus on seed dispersal networks specifically, with results including descriptions of or utilization of network analysis, (2) study focused on or took place in tropical regions, (3) published in peer-reviewed journals or dissertation manuscripts, (4) published between 1990 and 2023, and (5) employed empirical or theoretical approaches to collect data on seed dispersal interactions. To ensure no datasets were overlapping with data from empirical studies, we removed any duplicate studies or studies that used individual networks that were reported in multiple papers, as many of the reviews and meta-analyses gathered used publicly available datasets. We retained the original paper that described a seed dispersal network and did not utilize any papers published after the original article using the same data set. Full-text articles were obtained for the selected studies and thoroughly reviewed to assess their suitability for inclusion in this review.