Data from: Scale-dependent responses of pollination and seed dispersal mutualisms in a habitat transformation scenario

Transformed habitats are the result of deliberate replacement of native
species by an exotic monoculture, involving changes in biotic and abiotic
conditions. Despite this, transformed habitats are becoming more common
and constitute a major biodiversity change driver, little is known about
the scale-dependent responses of plant-animal mutualisms. Aiming to test
the multi-scale responses of pollination and seed dispersal in a habitat
transformation scenario, we examined a gradient of native and transformed
habitats at three spatial scales (0-50, 50-100, and 100-250 m), focused on
a highly-specialized mutualistic system composed of a hemiparasitic
mistletoe (Tristerix corymbosus) that is almost exclusively pollinated by
a hummingbird (Sephanoides sephaniodes) and dispersed by an arboreal
marsupial (Dromiciops gliroides). Even though mistletoes were found along
the gradient, they were more abundant and more densely aggregated when the
transformed habitat was dominant. Disperser and pollinator activity also
increased as the transformed habitat become dominant, at the scale of 0-50
m and 50-100 m, respectively. Furthermore, crop size and disperser
activity co-varied at broad and intermediate scales, whereas recruitment
co-varied at intermediate and fine scales. Moreover, disperser activity
and the number of seedlings were spatially associated, stressing D.
gliroides’ role in the recruitment of the mistletoe. Synthesis: This
highly specialized mutualistic system seems to be responding positively to
the habitat structure modifications associated with Eucalyptus
plantations. However, the actual costs (e.g., reduced gene flow, increased
herbivory) in these transformed habitats are yet to be assessed.