Large herbivores as mobile links between isolated nature reserves through adhesive seed dispersal

Abstract

Question: Do large herbivores contribute to the dispersal of plant seeds between isolated habitats by epizoochory? Location: Nature reserves in Flanders, Belgium. Methods: Epizoochory was studied by brushing plant seeds from the fur of 201 domesticated large herbivores (Galloway cattle, donkeys and horses), grazing in 27 Flemish nature reserves. Several herbivores were examined after transport between different nature reserves as part of the seasonal grazing system in Flanders, allowing detection of seed dispersal both within and between reserves. The seedling emergence method was used to identify the dispersed plant species. Results: In total, 6385 epizoochorous seeds from 75 species germinated, yet the real seed quantity was underestimated by the seedling emergence method. A wide variety of seed morphology, seed weights and plant heights was represented among the dispersed species, many of which had a transient seed bank. There was a gradual turnover in epizoochorous species composition in the course of the vegetation season, and seed dispersal occurred both within and between different nature reserves. Conclusions: Domesticated large herbivores, as models for wild mammals in the present and the past, are important dispersers of many plant species. Through seasonal grazing, the herbivores function as ‘mobile link organisms’, connecting isolated nature reserves through seed dispersal, possibly influencing vegetation development and long‐term survival of plant populations. As such, large herbivores are important instruments in ecological restoration, especially in fragmented ecosystems.

Response of plant functional traits during the restoration of calcareous grasslands from forest stands

“…In our study, a significant increase in epizoochorous species abundance was detected. This confirms the important role of sheep in seed dispersal Poschlod et al 1996;Couvreur et al 2004). …”

Seed comas of bromeliads promote germination and early seedling growth by wick-like water uptake

“…However, the diverse structure of coma hairs with bifurcate cross-walls or hooks also assists in sticking to rough surfaces, such as tree bark and rocks, which indicates another important function: keeping seeds in place until germination and the development of roots (Benzing 2000, Palací et al 2004. Multiple rather than singular functions of seed plumes or pappi have also been shown for soil-rooted plants in other plant families, where these structures are not only highly efficient for wind dispersal, but also for attachment to animal fur (Couvreur et al 2004).…”

Conservation challenges of sharks with continental scale migrations

“…Mobile link species can play a wide array of ecological roles in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, from spreading seeds and pollinating (Couvreur et al, 2004) to increasing the resilience of coral reefs (Nyström and Folke, 2001). Due to the high mobility of many species that function as mobile links these species are often subject to numerous management regimes including state, federal, and international policies (Lascelles et al, 2014).…”