Cattle affect regeneration of the palm species Attalea princeps in a Bolivian forest-savanna mosaic

Attalea princeps is an important palm species that shapes the forest-savanna mosaic in Beni, Bolivia, because it dominates and shapes the two principal forest landscape elements (forest islands and gallery forest), and it provides a vital microhabitat, food and nesting source for numerous plant and animal species. The forest-savanna mosaic is used for extensive grazing, and the palm population is declining on the forest islands due to a low regeneration rate, which threatens the maintenance of this landscape. We therefore examined the (a)biotic factors that influence the population structure of Attalea in the centers and edges of forest islands and gallery forests. Ninety-one 0.1 ha plots were established and 500 palm adults and 3700 juveniles were measured for their size, health condition and fire damage. For each plot habitat characteristics, such as landscape position, grazing pressure, and soil conditions were measured. Attalea population density was significantly lower on the fores...