Indices of Habitat-wide Fruit Abundance in Tropical Forest

Abstract

The assessment of fruit abundance is critical for studies of frugivore ecology. A variety of methods have been used to estimate habitat-wide fruit abundance. However, since the methods have not been calibrated with each other, it is difficult to compare results of different studies. Here we compare three methods used simultaneously to collect fruit abundance data in the Kibale Forest, Uganda. Estimates of fruit abundance derived from fruit traps were not correlated with estimates derived from either systematic transect sampling or estimates obtained from observing fruiting phenology of key species on a fruit trail. However, estimates based on fruit trail data and transect data were correlated. We review the advantages and disadvantages of methods that have been used to assess habitat-wide fruit abundance.