Abstract:
Seed dispersal is critically important in plant regeneration, but patterns in seed dispersal distance have been much less studied at a broad scale. We collated the most geographically and taxonomically broad database of seed dispersal distance. With this collation, we showed a latitudinal gradient in seed dispersal distance, with seeds dispersed on average more than an order of magnitude further at the equator than towards the poles. This pattern is partially explained by plant life-history traits that simultaneously associate with seed dispersal distance and latitude, including dispersal mode and plant height. Species that dispersed far are more likely to be those long-lived species with large, non-dormant seeds. This indicates that spatial dispersal and temporal dispersal are bet-hedging strategies. Since seed dispersal is a complex process, we also evaluate the relative importance of each phase in species having more than one dispersal phase. Dispersal distances of the two diplochorous phases were independent and comparable to that of single-phase dispersal. Therefore, the two phases of diplochory form a coordinated dispersal strategy. These findings allow a better understanding of plant reproductive strategies and a potential avenue to predict the restoration potential, community assembly and species persistence under global changes.
Speaker: Prof. Sichong Chen
Affiliation: Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Time: 4:30 PM, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023
Venue: ZOOM 会议平台 会议 ID：312 430 8960 会议密码 PWD：666666
ZOOM
会议 ID：312 430 8960
会议密码 PWD：666666
