Abstract 256 – Sloth bear as a key contributor to forest heterogeneity in India through seed dispersal

Ashutosh Anand, Ajay Kumar Singh, Nishith Dharaiya

Seed dispersal is a critical ecological process that influences the composition and heterogeneity
of forest ecosystems. The sloth bear has emerged as an important species in maintaining forest
heterogeneity through its role as a seed disperser. Here we review the literature on the role of
sloth bears in seed dispersal and maintaining forest heterogenity, with a literature search in the
online reference database such as scopus, researchgate, google scholar etc. Overall, we found
that sloth bears are prolific seed dispersers. Their diverse diets allow them to consume large
volumes of over a twenty families of fruit and disperse large quantities of seeds across
landscapes. We examined the prevalence of observed and potential endozoochoric seed
dispersal by them. The wide-ranging habitat capabilities of sloth bears contribute to the
colonization of new habitats and the establishment of diverse plant species. Selective feeding
preferences further aid in the distribution of specific plant species, enhancing the heterogeneity
of forest ecosystems. We found that several tree species benefit from the seed dispersal
activities of sloth bears in different regions of India. Ficus spp., Cassia fistula, Diospyrous
melanoxylon etc. are widely dispersed by sloth bears in central India aiding in its distribution
across different forest regions of Marwahi, Satpura, Bandhavgarh. Ziziphus spp., Aegle
marmelos, etc in eastern India and Syzizium cumini, Diospyrous melanoxylon, Madhuca indica
etc in western India are dispersed by sloth bears, ensuring its presence in various forest
ecosystems.