While the loss of these animals is concerning for species conservation, now researchers at the University of Florida have shown that over hunting can have widespread effects on the forest itself.Over hunting leads to the extinction of a dominant tree species, Miliusa horsfieldii, or the Miliusa beech, with likely cascading effects on other forest biota.

"It's not surprising that seed disperses help trees get to new places."The effects of hunting can extend far beyond the hunted, threatening the overall health of the trees that make up the forest."

Adds Caughlin, "On the surface, it doesn't seem that seed dispersal would be important for tree populations. But seed dispersal has an effect over the whole life of a tree."The scientists looked at the growth and survival of trees that sprouted from parent trees and grew up in crowded environs, compared to trees from seeds that were widely transported across the forest by animals.The information was supplemented with a data set from the Thai Royal Forest Department that contains more than 15 years of data on trees.