Fruiting, Frugivory, and Fieldwork: Ecological Interactions and Actors in a Changing World

Abstract

The dynamics of fruiting and frugivory are integral to the functioning and biodiversity of tropical ecosystems, influencing everything from population dynamics and animal behavior to overall ecosystem health and stability. This dissertation begins by investigating how these ecological processes in the Neotropics are sensitive to environmental changes and what implications these changes may have for the broader ecological community. The first chapter focuses on fruiting phenology in the Madre de Dios River Basin, Peru, examining the impact of climatic factors such as temperature and the El Niño Southern Oscillation on fruit availability. This study uses a long-term dataset from multiple forest sites to investigate the interactions between climate variability and fruiting cycles, providing insights into their significance for ecosystem conservation. The second chapter explores the behavioral responses of frugivores, particularly spider monkeys, to environmental changes, shedding light on the ecological consequences of frugivory in the context of shifting climatic conditions. The questions addressed in chapters one and two, as well as myriad other ecological questions, can require extensive fieldwork in challenging and remote locations. With this in mind, the third chapter introduces a broader perspective on field research by proposing the Fieldwork Wellness Framework, aimed at enhancing fieldwork practices to foster holistic well-being, safety, and inclusivity within the research community. Overall, this body of research synthesizes ecological theory with practical fieldwork considerations, offering new perspectives on tropical ecosystem dynamics and advocating for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to science.