Efficiency of artificial perches in relation to the distance from the forest edge in the brazilian Amazon

The natural regeneration of degraded areas can be enhanced by artificial perches that attract frugivorous birds. Here, we analyzed the effect of distance from the forest edge on the seed input from artificial perches in a forest fragment. The study was conducted between March 2016 and March 2017 on the Catuaba Experimental Farm in Senador Guiomard, Acre (Brazil). We installed three collectors with artificial perches and three controls in open areas at the edge of the fragment. The study perches were placed along a transect at 5m, 20m, and 40m from the forest edge. The control collectors were set at the same distances along a parallel transect, separated by 7m. The seeds were collected weekly. The data were assessed for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test (W=0.4). The efficiency of seed dispersal by the artificial perches vs. the control collectors was analyzed using t. We collected 32,175 seeds, of which 29,927 (93.01%) from the test collectors (artificial perches), and 2,248 (6.98%) from the controls. The artificial perches were significantly more efficient (t=4.5; p=0.001) for the collection of seeds than the controls. The results also indicate a potentially positive effect on the input of seeds according to the distance from the edge of the forest (5m [t=1.4; p=0.2]; 20m [t=3.7; p=0.02]; 40m [t=3.1; p=0.08]). The use of artificial perches was effective for the increase in the input of zoochorous seeds in degraded areas.