A study from Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History MuseumMore than 90% of tropical trees rely on fruit-eating animals, especially birds, for the dispersal of their seeds. Adding to previous evidence, new research shows that large birds are more important than small and medium-sized birds for plant regeneration. "Especially large fruit-eating birds are declining due to habitat loss and hunting in the tropics. This is likely to cause a poor regeneration of some plant species. It may bring about profound change to the tropical forest as we know it." warns Marcia Muñoz, Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre.More than 90% of tropical trees rely on fruit-eating animals, especially birds, for the dispersal of their seeds. Adding to previous evidence, new research shows that large birds are more important than small and medium-sized birds for plant regeneration. "Especially large fruit-eating birds are declining due to habitat loss and hunting in the tropics. This is likely to cause a poor regeneration of some plant species. It may bring about profound change to the tropical forest as we know it." warns Marcia Muñoz, Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre. At the rate at whch tropical rainforests are being depleted the rate of the bird extinctions will increase.
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