Overlooked seed‐dispersal modes and underestimated distances

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(6)

Published: March 26, 2024

Abstract Long‐distance seed dispersal is a crucial process determining the distribution of plant biodiversity and, therefore, major interest in biogeography and macroecology. A recent data article on Global Ecology Biogeography presented database estimated seed‐dispersal distance classes for European flora, where are defined by morphological syndrome species associated with single mode. We explain how this overlooks literature unreliable capacity syndromes predicting key modes involved long‐distance dispersal. Consequently, published does not consider possibility that individual can naturally be dispersed through multiple (polychory). Most importantly, consistently omits mediate distances several orders magnitude longer than mode predicted syndromes. This case many terrestrial aquatic plants animals, notably ungulates waterbirds, coastal sea. thus urge caution when using to model potential because underestimated species.

Language: Английский

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Migratory geese allow plants to disperse to cooler latitudes across the ocean

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 50(9), P. 1602 - 1614

Published: June 13, 2023

Abstract Aim How plants can disperse in response to global change is a critical question, yet major knowledge gaps persist about long‐distance dispersal (LDD) mechanisms. We studied the potential migratory waterfowl has for LDD of flowering via gut passage seeds (endozoochory), comparing spring and autumn migration. Location United Kingdom Iceland. Taxon Pink‐footed Goose ( Anser brachyrhynchus , Baillon) Angiosperma. Methods endozoochory by geese migrating within between UK Iceland faecal sampling GPS tracking. collected 614 samples from 14 areas one Using tracks these areas, we estimated how far be dispersed geese, where or from. Results recorded 5507 intact 35 species (27 terrestrial) 15 plant families, with lower seed abundance per dropping when birds were northwards during than upon their arrival autumn. Species richness was highest Only four had an “endozoochory syndrome”. movements showed that retained guts up 24 h readily both directions Iceland, maximum distances exceeding 2000 km, as well localities separated 100 s km. Movements ≤400 km even While at stopover sites, daily roost feeding sites often exceed 20 Main Conclusions are vectors previously assumed lack mechanism. Spring migration not only period move cooler latitudes. The pink‐footed goose allow terrestrial aquatic cross ocean keep pace climate change.

Language: Английский

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Hiking Trails Facilitate the Spread of a Native High‐Arctic Species

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT High‐Arctic environments are facing an elevated pace of warming and increasing human activities, making them more susceptible to the introduction spread alien species. We investigated role disturbance in facilitating a native plant ( Papaver dahlianum ) high‐Arctic natural environment close Isfjord Radio station along adjacent hiking trails at Kapp Linné, Svalbard. reconstructed spatial pattern arrival P. Linné by combining historical records species occurrence (1928–2018) with contemporary survey abundance main trail (2023 survey) tested relative effects altitude proximity on density via generalised linear model (GLM). then compared simulated annual assuming either only local or plus from trails. Finally, we used fine‐scale UAV‐derived brightness index test for terrain preference applying randomisation test. Distance (56% explained variation) minimum distance (28%) significantly across research area (best GLM R 2 = 0.755). The modelled including effect (fitted ~30 m yr. −1 managed capture maximum extent occupied area, whereas simulations (~2 underestimated extent. A showed that has significant gravel soils low vegetation cover due trampling and/or processes. Along climate warming, activities can increase rate range shift providing hot spots (human settlements) spreading corridors (hiking trails). Our results show spatially explicit models be applied accurately predict potential species, leading efficient monitoring plan. Systematic sanitisation measures should prioritised polar habitats high incidence disturbances.

Language: Английский

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Waterfowl Endozoochory: Traits Drive Plant–Bird Dispersal Interactions in North America

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 70(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Plant biogeography and ongoing changes in plant distributions are influenced by long‐distance dispersal (LDD) of seeds, migratory waterfowl (Anatidae: Ducks, geese swans) particularly important for the plants around wetlands through gut passage (endozoochory). However, this is not contemplated classical syndromes; hence, currently we have limited understanding what angiosperm traits predict seed any differences due to avian trait variation among species. We conducted a literature search data on presence seeds alimentary canal or faeces North American as proxy interactions, since an fraction these survives passage. present list flowering species ( N = 536) from 95 families potentially dispersed 38 species, together with their vectors. Owing largely sampling effort, 47% 35% genera recorded were only found single A suite analytical approaches revealed major whose ingested likely between foraging groups (guilds) relation other traits. Diving ducks sea associated sublittoral that submerged floating leaves, hence hydrochory syndrome. Dabbling herbivorous (notably geese) terrestrial herbaceous plants, also unspecialised syndrome common plants. Plants larger greater height more be dabbling ducks, whereas shorter than waterfowl. Network analyses interactions generally consistent results, but provided evidence all geese, duck alike along terrestrial–aquatic gradient, instead occupy distinct niches. The traditional classification into guilds therefore does accurately reflect differing roles ingestion seeds. Aquatic had vector ones. Detailed studies endozoochory determinations needed facilitate predictions LDD population sizes migration patterns vary future climate change.

Language: Английский

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Directionality of long-distance seed dispersal: the role of elevational, latitudinal, and longitudinal seed dispersal under climate change

Journal of Forest Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 18

Published: April 15, 2025

Language: Английский

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Seed dispersal between aquatic and agricultural habitats by greylag geese

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 359, P. 108741 - 108741

Published: Sept. 20, 2023

Waterbirds disperse plant seeds within and between aquatic terrestrial ecosystems in their faeces. However, seed dispersal distances, connectivity among habitat types, implications for of weeds remain unquantified agricultural landscapes. Therefore, we GPS-tagged 31 greylag geese Anser anser collected 300 faecal samples from feeding flocks seven habitats (four cereals, hayfields, pasture, strawberries) across two landscapes southern Sweden. We identified intact seeds, determined key traits, tested three hypotheses: (1) ingest, transport, egest a wide range plants, including alien species; (2) the community trait composition faeces vary types; (3) by is directional mechanism that connects some types more than others. recovered 131 41 species (19 families), nine one species. Many were plants (45%), dispersed into habitats. A network formed (as nodes) direct flights links) revealed all directly connected with each other, although 66% Geese spent most time at lakes (34%), pastures (14%), barley (10%) wheat (8%) fields, which also interconnected habitats, high richness abundance samples. Combining waterfowl movement data analysis provided support hypotheses. may contribute to previously overlooked conflicts through weed dispersal. Proximity suitable roosting increases use potentially them.

Language: Английский

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High levels of seed dispersal by a declining wintering population of migratory geese

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 3, 2024

Abstract Ducks are known to be important seed dispersers, but the role of geese in plant dispersal is less clear. Wintering populations migratory undergoing rapid changes distribution and habitat use response climate change land use, implications for have not previously been studied. At southern end Eurasian goose flyways, numbers declining through short‐stopping. The Doñana wetlands, or ‘marismas del Guadalquivir’, south‐west Spain were formerly Europe's most wintering grounds greylag Anser anser. There, we collected 151 faecal samples compare by endozoochory early late winter natural marshes ricefields. We also tested germinability simulated potential distances assess importance this decreasing population dry‐fruited plants assumed rely on abiotic over short distances. retrieved 1196 intact seeds belonging 24 different taxa, including eight species reported from waterfowl (Anatidae) vectors. Seeds present 47% samples, with a peak 90% November, compared only 27% ricefields at same time, marsh site February. Seed abundance richness per sample significantly higher than winter, artificial wetlands. Major differences composition between sampling sites partly related moisture requirements individual species. Germinability aquatic was when gut passage followed cold storage 2 months prior germination tests. events our using GPS tracking three geese. This suggested that can dispersed up 25 km during daily movements, median 0.2–5 km, depending site. frequent syndrome assigned barochory (gravity), disperse much farther mechanisms predicted their syndromes. Geese likely an connectivity within beyond Mediterranean providing ecosystem service which threatened behaviour. Our results highlight studying interactions involving waterbirds current context loss shifts, as many crucial may disappearing even before they discovered.

Language: Английский

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Long term impacts of endozoochory and salinity on germination of wetland plants after entering simulated seed banks

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: Oct. 31, 2023

Migratory waterbirds disperse a broad range of angiosperms by endozoochory (seed dispersal via gut passage), especially plants in coastal wetlands. However, there is no previous information about the capacity seeds to remain seed bank after waterbird endozoochory, and very little how wetland salinity can influence effect passage on germination. We collected Juncus subulatus (Juncaceae), Bolboschoenus maritimus, Schoenoplectus litoralis (Cyperaceae) from Doñana marshes Spain. All three species are considered have physiological dormancy. After following ingestion ducks, were stored darkness solutions with six different conductivities (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 dSm-1), for periods 1, 6, or 12 months simulate presence bank. storage, 1800 each plant assigned these treatments subjected germination tests demineralized water, together control that had not been ingested before storage. germinated readily without beforehand. Storage time both important effects germinability germination, which differed between seeds, species. ≥6 months, Cyperaceae was enhanced (≤25% higher than seeds) at some salinities. Only J. showed consistently lower (≤30%). B. maritimus slower (≤33%). Salinity more complex passage, but increasing did generally negative impact seeds. When compared additional tests, storage reduced (≤39% reduction), increased it (≤17%) S. (≤46%). Seeds dispersed may be easily incorporated into banks, where they halotolerant delay until conditions become suitable. This benefit rates long-distance dispersal, gene flow, establishment new populations. Avian positive species-specific persistent banks and/or

Language: Английский

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Human cercarial dermatitis (HCD) in the UK: an overlooked and under-reported nuisance?

Parasites & Vectors, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(1)

Published: Feb. 22, 2024

Abstract Background Human cercarial dermatitis (HCD) is a clinical disease typically caused by skin-penetrative larvae of avian schistosomes. Its geographical epidemiology firmly tied with that infected freshwater intermediate snail hosts. To better understand the current distribution HCD and its level nuisance in UK, we undertook systematic literature review. Methods Following PRIMSA guidelines, PubMed Scopus databases were searched keywords “human dermatitis” OR “swimmer’s itch” AND “United Kingdom”. Articles about imported cases HCD, or outside not formally included. Results A total 30 articles initially identified. further two gained inspection all citations. After screening, eight publications analysed where location, number putative schistosome species incriminated tabulated. mainly found south England, though gaps evidence reporting remain across UK. Conclusions Despite noted recent rise open water swimmers, published on UK sparse; this condition both overlooked under-reported. We therefore recommend establishing national database raises awareness encourages self-reporting disease. Graphical

Language: Английский

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Invasive Buttonweed Cotula coronopifolia (Asteraceae) Is Halotolerant and Has High Potential for Dispersal by Endozoochory

Published: May 17, 2024

Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia) is native to South Africa but invasive in wetlands Europe, North America, and Australasia, where it excludes plants. Despite being dry-fruited, field studies suggest migratory waterbirds can disperse its seeds via gut passage (endozoochory), aiding expansion. To explore the potential for endozoochory different regions habitats, we collected from six populations Spain, Sweden, UK. Germination was tested under salinity levels (0, 5, 10, 15 g/L) simulated treatments: scarification, acidification, or both. No germination occurred at g/L. Higher reduced delayed germination, full treatment increased germinability accelerated germination. Scarification acid alone resulted intermediate patterns. There were significant x population interactions on germinability. The acceleration effect of stronger 5-10 g/L than 0 This study highlights how birds facilitate spread alien plants introduced by humans. Non-classical an understudied mechanism long-distance dispersal dry-fruited Further research C. coronopifolia, including genetics, necessary understand mechanisms management strategies.

Language: Английский

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