A Model of Wind Dispersal of Winged or Plumed Seeds

Greene, David F.; Johnson, Edward A.

doi:10.2307/1937538

Cited by 319 publications

(263 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…We used terminal velocity to represent seeds and neglected aerodynamic shape, inertia, and collisions with vegetation inside the canopy. Aerodynamic shape may introduce Bernoulli sailing (18), uplift on wing surfaces (19), and rotation (20). The effects of rotation can be parameterized by terminal velocity (21).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding strategies for seed dispersal by wind under contrasting atmospheric conditions

Wright

Trakhtenbrot

Bohrer

et al. 2008

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

102

135

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Traits associated with seed dispersal vary tremendously among sympatric wind-dispersed plants. We used two contrasting tropical tree species, seed traps, micrometeorology, and a mechanistic model to evaluate how variation in four key traits affects seed dispersal by wind. The conceptual framework of movement ecology, wherein external factors (wind) interact with internal factors (plant traits) that enable movement and determine when and where movement occurs, fully captures the variable inputs and outputs of wind dispersal models and informs their interpretation. We used model calculations to evaluate the spatial pattern of dispersed seeds for the 16 factorial combinations of four traits. The study species differed dramatically in traits related to the timing of seed release, and a strong species by season interaction affected most aspects of the spatial pattern of dispersed seeds. A rich interplay among plant traits and seasonal differences in atmospheric conditions caused this interaction. Several of the same plant traits are crucial for both seed dispersal and other aspects of life history variation. Observed traits that limit dispersal are likely to be constrained by their life history consequences.atmospheric turbulence ͉ conditional seed release ͉ Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian closure (CELC) model ͉ long distance dispersal ͉ tropical forest S eed dispersal allows plants to colonize new habitats, reach sites where resources favor regeneration, and escape pests and competition with siblings and mother and sets the spatial template for all post dispersal processes (1, 2). A mechanistic understanding of seed dispersal could lead to progress on many fronts but requires models that recreate the complex interactions between plants and seed dispersal vectors. Mechanistic models are perhaps most advanced for seeds dispersed by wind (3). We use a wind dispersal model developed and validated for forests and grasslands (4-6) to compare spatial patterns of seed dispersal for factorial combinations of four key plant traits observed for two contrasting tropical tree species. These comparisons, made within the conceptual framework provided by movement ecology (7), provide insight into the complex interplay between atmospheric conditions and plant traits that influence seed dispersal by wind.Seed fate motivates seed dispersal through natural selection (2). Wind dispersal models have traditionally focused on a single aspect of seed fate, the distance moved from the mother (3). Long dispersal distances sample more potential regeneration sites and minimize negative interactions with siblings and mother. The implications of coincident arrival in close proximity have been overlooked for wind-dispersed seeds (but see ref. 8 for animal-dispersed seeds). Coincident arrival of siblings increases the potential for sibling competition and pest facilitation, reduces the number of potential regeneration sites reached, and leads to future inbreeding among adults. Thus, coincident arrival impacts seed fate negatively. Dispersal distance an...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding strategies for seed dispersal by wind under contrasting atmospheric conditions

Wright

Trakhtenbrot

Bohrer

et al. 2008

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

102

135

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“…Thus, ruderal (fugitive) species are typically both early invaders and excellent dispersers. Greene and Johnson (1989) applied a scaling metric involving seed terminal velocity, height of seed release, and mean horizontal wind speed to make dispersal comparable between species with different characteristics. For instance, ashfall accompanying the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 greatly reduced many insect and spider populations.…”

Section: Quantifying Disturbances and Their Frequenciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compounded Perturbations Yield Ecological Surprises

1998

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All species have evolved in the presence of disturbance, and thus are in a sense matched to the recurrence pattern of the perturbations. Consequently, disturbances within the typical range, even at the extreme of that range as defined by large, infrequent disturbances (LIDs), usually result in little long-term change to the system's fundamental character. We argue that more serious ecological consequences result from compounded perturbations within the normative recovery time of the community in question. We consider both physically based disturbance (for example, storm, volcanic eruption, and forest fire) and biologically based disturbance of populations, such as overharvesting, invasion, and disease, and their interactions. Dispersal capability and measures of generation time or age to first reproduction of the species of interest seem to be the important metrics for scaling the size and frequency of disturbances among different types of ecosystems. We develop six scenarios that describe communities that have been subjected to multiple perturbations, either simultaneously or at a rate faster than the rate of recovery, and appear to have entered new domains or ''ecological surprises.'' In some cases, three or more disturbances seem to have been required to initiate the changed state. We argue that in a world of ever-more-pervasive anthropogenic impacts on natural communities coupled with the increasing certainty of global change, compounded perturbations and ecological surprises will become more common. Understanding these ecological synergisms will be basic to environmental management decisions of the 21st century.

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“…For plants, exchange between fragmented habitats takes place by seed dispersal via wind, water, animals, and human activity. Plant seed dispersal via wind (anemochory) has been widely investigated in many ecosystems (for example, Greene and Johnson 1989;Tackenberg 2003;Soons and others 2004;Nathan and others 2011). Recent studies have also shown the importance of surface water as a dispersal vector for riparian plant species (that is, hydrochory; Boedeltje and others 2003;Boedeltje 2005;Jansson and others 2005;Gurnell and others 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Seed dispersal distances by wind are investigated in many studies, either by experimental research or by (mechanistic) modelling (for example, Greene and Johnson 1989;Nathan and others 2002;Soons and Heil 2002;Tackenberg 2003;Soons and others 2004;Nathan and others 2011). However, dispersal distances by water are not well known and hydrochory studies focus mostly on seed transport through rivers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wind and Water Dispersal of Wetland Plants Across Fragmented Landscapes

et al. 2012

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Biodiversity in wetlands is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, of which agricultural activities often are a cause. Dispersal of plant seeds via wind and ditches (water) may contribute to connecting remnant wetland plant populations in modern agricultural landscapes, and help to maintain and restore biodiversity. We developed a spatially explicit model to assess the relative importance of dispersal by wind and dispersal by water through drainage ditches for two wetland plant species in agricultural landscapes: a typical wind disperser and a typical water-disperser. Simulation results show that the typical wind disperser had a much higher capability to disperse by wind (90th percentile <30 m) than the typical water-disperser (90th percentile <2 m). Surprisingly, the capability to disperse via water was similar for the two species: 90th percentile dispersal distances following a combination of wind and water dispersal were between approximately 100 and 1000 m. Dispersal by water transported more seeds over long distances for both species. The main determinants for dispersal distance by water were roughness of the ditch (determined by, for example, bank vegetation) and the presence of obstructions (for example, culverts). Density or direction of the ditch network did not seem to affect water dispersal distances substantially. From a biodiversity conservation perspective, it would be most useful if areas with suitable riparian wetland habitat were intersected with a network of shallow ditches with a high roughness promoting seed deposition. These areas should then be connected to other suitable areas by a few regularly cleaned ditches with no obstructions and low seed trapping probability.

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A Model of Wind Dispersal of Winged or Plumed Seeds

Cited by 319 publications

References 19 publications

Understanding strategies for seed dispersal by wind under contrasting atmospheric conditions

Understanding strategies for seed dispersal by wind under contrasting atmospheric conditions

Compounded Perturbations Yield Ecological Surprises

Wind and Water Dispersal of Wetland Plants Across Fragmented Landscapes

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