Journal ArticleDOI
Dispersal of wetland plant seeds by mallards: influence of gut passage on recovery, retention, and germination
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TLDR
It is suggested despite the large differences in viable seeds recovered, mallards may be important dispersers for the seeds of most species the authors studied and hypothesize that observed variation may be attributable to different plant strategies that relate to reproductive tactics and habitat type.Abstract:
Seed dispersal is an important process for plants, but may be particularly important for plants occurring in spatially isolated habitats like wetlands. Variation in the geographic distribution of wetland plant species may be strongly influenced by their ability to use waterbirds, particularly waterfowl to enhance dispersal. We used controlled feeding and germination experiments to investigate recovery, retention time, and germination for the seeds of 10 wetland plant species (Chenopodium album, Digitaria ischaemum, Echinochloa colonum, Echinochloa crusgalli, Eleocharis palustris, Panicum dichotomiflorum, Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Rumex crispus, and Scheonoplectus maritimus) and compared how these metrics varied with seed characteristics. We fed a known number of seeds to captive raised mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and collected fecal samples every 4 hours for 48 hours; all recovered seeds were planted in seedling trays and watched for 60 days to monitor germination. We co...read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Gut travellers: Internal dispersal of aquatic organisms by waterfowl
Casper H. A. van Leeuwen,Casper H. A. van Leeuwen,Gerard van der Velde,Gerard van der Velde,Jan M. Van Groenendael,Marcel Klaassen,Marcel Klaassen,Marcel Klaassen +7 more
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that waterbirds have the potential to transport a wide variety of aquatic plants and animals over several hundreds of kilometres, and a first quantitative model that can be used to estimate waterbird-mediated dispersal of propagules between wetlands is provided.
Journal ArticleDOI
The role of migratory ducks in the long‐distance dispersal of native plants and the spread of exotic plants in Europe
TL;DR: Migratory ducks are important vectors for both terrestrial and aquatic plant species, even those lacking the fleshy fruits or hooks typically used to identify seeds dispersed by birds, according to a literature review.
Journal ArticleDOI
Migratory strategies of waterbirds shape the continental-scale dispersal of aquatic organisms
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented a study that was funded by the ESF - EURODIVERSITY project BIOPOOL and was supported by the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia grant SFRH/BD/48091/2008, co-financed by the European Social Fund.
Journal ArticleDOI
Seed dispersal by dabbling ducks: an overlooked dispersal pathway for a broad spectrum of plant species
TL;DR: Internal seed dispersal by dabbling ducks appears to be a major dispersal pathway for a far broader spectrum of plant species than previously considered.
Journal ArticleDOI
The importance of waterbirds as an overlooked pathway of invasion for alien species.
TL;DR: Waterbirds have a vital role in spreading aliens around once they get there, and greater focus on the role of waterbird vectors is essential if management of invasions is to be effective.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Herbivores and the Number of Tree Species in Tropical Forests
TL;DR: Any event that increases the efficiency of the predators at eating seeds and seedlings of a given tree species may lead to a reduction in population density of the adults of that species and/or to increased distance between new adults and their parents.
Journal ArticleDOI
Ecology of Seed Dispersal
Henry E Howe,Judith Smallwood +1 more
TL;DR: A general objective of this paper is to explore the degree to which dispersal process and mode are integrated and, in so doing, to catalyze their union.
Journal ArticleDOI
Spatial patterns of seed dispersal, their determinants and consequences for recruitment.
TL;DR: Together with the development and refinement of mathematical models, this promises a deeper, more mechanistic understanding of dispersal processes and their consequences.
Book
The dispersal of plants throughout the world
TL;DR: The dispersal of plants throughout the world, The Dispersal of Plants throughout the World, the authors, is a popular topic in the field of plant propagation, especially in agriculture.
Related Papers (5)
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