The dispersal of winged fruits and seeds differing in autorotative behaviour

Greene, David F.; Johnson, Edward A.

doi:10.1139/b90-340

Cited by 16 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(19 reference statements)

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“…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). Resolving other aerodynamic effects would require Ͻ1 mm resolution, which is currently impossible in canopy scale models.…”

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.

105

136

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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.

105

136

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“…Harper et al 1970, Howe andWestley 1986), but there have been few quantitative studies demonstrating that descent velocity increases with increasing seed mass. Within taxa, such a proportionality has been confirmed for the winged species of Pinus (Siggins 1933), but the relationship is weak or absent when unrelated taxa and/or different aerodynamic types are lumped together (Siggins 1933, Augspurger 1986, Greene and Johnson 1986). If a positive correlation between mass and descent velocity is correct within a single aerodynamic category, then a simple scaling hypothesis may be advanced.…”

Section: A Hypothesismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The proportionality in (2) should also hold for plumed seeds or seeds lacking any conspicuous appendage (provided that the falling diaspore has a Reynolds number greater than about 100 and thus the drag coefficient is virtually a constant; cf. Greene and Johnson 1990b).…”

Section: A Hypothesismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Why should shape be conserved among asymmetric Greene (1990) has shown that autorotative stability (in still air) is maximized with aspect ratios in the range 3-5. Eighty-four percent of the samaras examined here had aspect ratios in that range.…”

Section: Groupmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been shown repeatedly that measures of dispersal capacity (e.g. median distance travelled by a seed crop) are inversely proportional to the terminal velocity (equilibrium descent velocity) of the diaspores (Kohlermann 1950, Augspurger and Hogan 1983, Augspurger and Franson 1987, Greene and Johnson 1990a. Further, the terminal velocity (vf) is defined by attributes of the diaspore:…”

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Seed Mass and Dispersal Capacity in Wind-Dispersed Diaspores

Greene¹,

Johnson²

1993

Oikos

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229

180

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Correlated evolution of dispersal traits and habitat preference in the melicgrasses

Brightly,

Bedoya,

Carlson

et al. 2024

American J of Botany

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PremiseSeed dispersal is a critical process impacting individual plants and their communities. Plants have evolved numerous strategies and structures to disperse their seeds, but the evolutionary drivers of this diversity remain poorly understood in most lineages. We tested the hypothesis that the evolution of wind dispersal traits within the melicgrasses (Poaceae: Meliceae Link ex Endl.) was correlated with occupation of open and disturbed habitats.MethodsTo evaluate wind dispersal potential, we collected seed dispersal structures (diaspores) from 24 melicgrass species and measured falling velocity and estimated dispersal distances. Species’ affinity for open and disturbed habitats were recorded using georeferenced occurrence records and land cover maps. To test whether habitat preference and dispersal traits were correlated, we used phylogenetically informed multilevel models.ResultsMelicgrasses display several distinct morphologies associated with wind dispersal, suggesting likely convergence. Open habitat taxa had slower‐falling diaspores, consistent with increased wind dispersal potential. However, their shorter stature meant that dispersal distances, at a given wind speed, were not higher than those of their forest‐occupying relatives. Species with affinities for disturbed sites had slower‐falling diaspores and greater wind dispersal distances, largely explained by lighter diaspores.ConclusionsOur results are consistent with the hypothesized evolutionary relationship between habitat preference and dispersal strategy. However, phylogenetic inertia and other plant functions (e.g., water conservation) likely shaped dispersal trait evolution in melicgrasses. It remains unclear if dispersal trait changes were precipitated by or predated changing habitat preferences. Nevertheless, our study provides promising results and a framework for disentangling dispersal strategy evolution.

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The dispersal of winged fruits and seeds differing in autorotative behaviour

Cited by 16 publications

References 14 publications

Understanding strategies for seed dispersal by wind under contrasting atmospheric conditions

Understanding strategies for seed dispersal by wind under contrasting atmospheric conditions

Seed Mass and Dispersal Capacity in Wind-Dispersed Diaspores

Correlated evolution of dispersal traits and habitat preference in the melicgrasses

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