Nurse species facilitate persistence of dry forests in agricultural landscapes in Uruguay

Questions Park forests are shaped by extensive cattle ranching in the transition between natural riverine and open grasslands. The underlying mechanisms driving tree regeneration have not been studied, however, they determine biodiversity, sustainability multifunctionality of these ecosystems. We explored patterns analyzing nurse–beneficiary interactions community composition. Location within departments Rio Negro, Paysandú, Artigas Tacuarembó, República Oriental del Uruguay, South America. Methods established 205 (1 × 1 m2) paired plots microhabitat under canopy to evaluate regeneration. To assess composition diversity we carried out forest inventories one-hectare ten park forests. Results Scattered trees had a positive effect on density, whereas, dense grass coverage negative effect. Regeneration density increased cover reduced nurse trees. beneficiaries were mainly bird dispersed species with different life strategies. Tree communities varied types spatially closer more similar. Conclusions Our study outlines importance promotion recovery grazed results found interaction saplings, based our suggested possible facilitation including provision shade, reduction competition attraction seed dispersers.