植物所生產的果實種子可藉由不同的途徑被帶離母樹,因而種子傳播被視為生態系運作中重要的過程,藉此機制得以維持森林的更新與延續。種子傳播之媒介的重要性可藉由測量傳播種子品質及數量來評估其傳播效益。動物為傳播植物種子的媒介之一,經由將種子帶離母樹,可能使種子到達適合的微棲地萌芽生長,並減少資源競爭、病原體傳染等因素,亦可拓廣植種的分布範圍。食果性靈長類動物為重要的種子傳播者,而臺灣獼猴為本島唯一非人靈長類動物,對於森林生態系種子傳播極具潛能。臺灣部份地區猴群長期受人類餵食之干擾,而影響其食性與行為。本研究探討受人類餵食的猴群,是否因取食人類餵食食物而對其種子傳播效益有所影響。 於墾丁(野生猴群)與二水地區(受餵食猴群)分別收集了545坨及216坨排遺樣本,並進行分析,比較兩地猴群排遺內完整無受損的種子數量與植種數,並計算含有完整種子排遺率。依據兩地排遺分析結果比較發現,二水地區每月排遺所含種子總植種數雖然高於墾丁地區,但在含種子排遺率、每坨排遺平均種子數及每坨排遺平均植種數方面,皆顯著低於墾丁地區。因此以種子數量及植種數等傳播效益結果來看,可知二水地區的臺灣獼猴在種子傳播效益較墾丁地區差,因此人類餵食之干擾對二水地區臺灣獼猴的種子傳播效益可能是有影響的。
Seed dispersal is essential for the seedling recruitment and forest regeneration in forest ecosystems. Effectiveness of seed dispersers can be assessed by measuring the quantity and quality of dispersed seeds. The dispersed seeds could avoid resources competition and pathogen infection, and also expand distribution range of plants. Frugivorous primates are important seed dispersers, such as that the Taiwanese macaque, the only nonhuman primate in Taiwan, are considered effective seed dispersers in the forest ecosystem in Taiwan. However, human provisioning has impacted diet and behavior of some Taiwanese macaque populations. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate whether provisioning impacts the effectiveness of seed dispersal by the Taiwanese macaque. A total of 545 macaque fecal samples were collected in Kenting, and 216 samples in Ershui, among which 541 samples were analyzed for the number of intact seeds and plant species contained in feces. The results showed that the frequency of feces carrying seeds was significantly lower in Ershui. Feces collected from Ershui carried fewer seeds than those from Kenting. It was also found that fewer plant species of seeds was detected in a fecal sample collected in Ershui compared to that in Kenting. Therefore, it is suggested that interference to the Taiwanese macaque with provisioning may influence their effectiveness of seed dispersal in Ershui.