Fruiting and Frugivory of Cornus canadensis in Boreal Forest in Newfoundland

The fate of fruits of bunchberry Cornus canadensis was monitored for three autumn seasons in boreal forest in Newfoundland. On average, 53% of the berries were removed while intact, 23% damaged by slugs and other invertebrates, 18% infected by microbes, 3% shrivelled, 1% fell to the ground and 2% remained intact until covered by snow. Observations and exclosure experiments showed that birds were major dispersers, rodents and shrews had negligible effects and hares or squirrels ate < 6% of the fruits. Most removals occurred in five-week periods, coinciding with the passage of migrant birds. Dispersers tended to avoid damaged or infected fruits: 92% of the dispersed fruits were intact when removed, 6% were damaged and 2% infected. The frequency of removals varied significantly between seasons and between plots, and was not correlated with the size of the berry crop in each plot. Frugivory within a boreal ecosystem is discussed.