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Lemur food plants as options for forest restoration in Madagascar
Author(s) -
Steffens Kim J. E.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
restoration ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1526-100X
pISSN - 1061-2971
DOI - 10.1111/rec.13234
Subject(s) - lemur , biology , seed dispersal , biological dispersal , ecology , restoration ecology , native plant , introduced species , primate , population , demography , sociology
The outcome of restoration plantings depends on the selection of plant species and their traits. Regeneration could be facilitated and diversified by attracting native seed dispersers into the sites to be restored. To provide a basis for the selection of plant species that Lemur food plantscould attract lemurs, the main seed dispersers in Madagascar, I compiled a list of known lemur food plants (LFP). A literature search revealed 204 data sources from 64 study sites on the exploitation of plants by 56 free‐ranging lemur species. I aggregated the information, updated the taxonomy, and included further aspects, such as plant origin and life form, which may be of relevance for restoration. Lemur species exploited mainly fruits and leaves of 1,026 plant species (9.14% of all vascular plant species present in Madagascar), from 599 genera and 147 families. The data revealed many promising aspects for restoration, such as integrating the 10 most important LFP that are also used by people. The integration of LFP would increase the value of restoration areas for both animals and humans. Despite some limitations, the assembled database can provide assistance and guidance in the selection of plant species for restoration programs, whereby facilitating future regeneration may be accomplished passively through lemur seed dispersal.