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Seed dispersal by white-tailed deer: implications for long-distance dispersal, invasion, and migration of plants

TL;DR: It is concluded that white-tailed deer represent a significant and previously unappreciated vector of seed dispersal across the North American landscape, probably contributing an important long-distance component to the seed shadows of hundreds of plant species, and providing a mechanism to help explain rapid rates of plant migration.
About: The article was published on 2004-01-01 and is currently open access. It has received 284 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Seed dispersal syndrome & Seed dispersal.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This new handbook has a better balance between whole-plant traits, leaf traits, root and stem traits and regenerative traits, and puts particular emphasis on traits important for predicting species’ effects on key ecosystem properties.
Abstract: Plant functional traits are the features (morphological, physiological, phenological) that represent ecological strategies and determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels and influence ecosystem properties. Variation in plant functional traits, and trait syndromes, has proven useful for tackling many important ecological questions at a range of scales, giving rise to a demand for standardised ways to measure ecologically meaningful plant traits. This line of research has been among the most fruitful avenues for understanding ecological and evolutionary patterns and processes. It also has the potential both to build a predictive set of local, regional and global relationships between plants and environment and to quantify a wide range of natural and human-driven processes, including changes in biodiversity, the impacts of species invasions, alterations in biogeochemical processes and vegetation–atmosphere interactions. The importance of these topics dictates the urgent need for more and better data, and increases the value of standardised protocols for quantifying trait variation of different species, in particular for traits with power to predict plant- and ecosystem-level processes, and for traits that can be measured relatively easily. Updated and expanded from the widely used previous version, this handbook retains the focus on clearly presented, widely applicable, step-by-step recipes, with a minimum of text on theory, and not only includes updated methods for the traits previously covered, but also introduces many new protocols for further traits. This new handbook has a better balance between whole-plant traits, leaf traits, root and stem traits and regenerative traits, and puts particular emphasis on traits important for predicting species’ effects on key ecosystem properties. We hope this new handbook becomes a standard companion in local and global efforts to learn about the responses and impacts of different plant species with respect to environmental changes in the present, past and future.

2,744 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
11 Aug 2006-Science
TL;DR: To gain deep insights into the patterns, mechanisms, causes, and consequences of LDD, it is necessary to look beyond the standard dispersal vectors and the mean trend of the distribution of dispersal distances.
Abstract: Long-distance dispersal (LDD) of plants poses challenges to research because it involves rare events driven by complex and highly stochastic processes. The current surge of renewed interest in LDD, motivated by growing recognition of its critical importance for natural populations and communities and for humanity, promises an improved, quantitatively derived understanding of LDD. To gain deep insights into the patterns, mechanisms, causes, and consequences of LDD, we must look beyond the standard dispersal vectors and the mean trend of the distribution of dispersal distances. "Nonstandard" mechanisms such as extreme climatic events and generalized LDD vectors seem to hold the greatest explanatory power for the drastic deviations from the mean trend, deviations that make the nearly impossible LDD a reality.

914 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Prediction of the functional consequences of dung beetle decline demands functional studies conducted with naturally assembled beetle communities, which broaden the geographic scope of existing work, assess the spatio-temporal distribution of multiple functions, and link these ecosystem processes more clearly to ecosystem services.

881 citations


Cites background from "Seed dispersal by white-tailed deer..."

  • ...…there are several reports of dispersion of invasive plant species by livestock (Campbell and Gibson, 2001; Constible et al., 2005) and wild mammals (Myers et al., 2004; Shiponeni and Milton, 2006) in anthropogenic and natural ecosystems worldwide, it is not known whether dung beetles play a role…...

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  • ..., 2005) and wild mammals (Myers et al., 2004; Shiponeni and Milton, 2006) in anthropogenic and natural ecosystems worldwide, it is not known whether dung beetles play a role in the seedling establishment and success of invasive plants....

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01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: A general framework is outlined that attempts to connect patterns of plant invasion to processes underlying these patterns at four well-established spatio-temporal stages of the invasion process: transport, colonization, establishment, and landscape spread.
Abstract: Summary Invasive nonindigenous plant species (NIPS) threaten native diversity, alter ecosystem processes, and may interact with other components of global environmental change. Here, a general framework is outlined that attempts to connect patterns of plant invasion to processes underlying these patterns at four well-established spatio- temporal stages of the invasion process: transport, colonization, establishment, and landscape spread. At each stage we organize findings and ideas about the filters that limit NIPS success and the interaction of these filters with historical aspects of introduction events, NIPS traits, and ecosystem properties. While it remains difficult to draw conclusions about the risk of invasion across ecosystems, to delineate universal 'invader traits', or to predict large-scale extinctions following invasions, this review highlights the growing body of research that suggests that the success of invasive NIPS is controlled by a series of key processes or filters. These filters are common to all invasion events, and will interact throughout the stages of plant invasion, although the relative importance of a filter may be stage, species or location specific. It is suggested that both research and management programs may benefit from employing multiscale and stage approaches to studying and controlling invasion. We further use the framework to briefly examine potential interactions between climate change and filters that limit NIPS invasion.

739 citations


Cites background from "Seed dispersal by white-tailed deer..."

  • ...Deer and other small mammals may transport large numbers of NIPS between disturbance corridors and from suburban landscapes into forest interiors (Vellend, 2002; Meyers et al., 2004; Williams & Ward, 2006)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: To advance the understanding of LDD, this work advocates a vector-based research approach that identifies the significant LDD vectors and quantifies how environmental conditions modify their actions.
Abstract: Growing recognition of the importance of long-distance dispersal (LDD) of plant seeds for various ecological and evolutionary processes has led to an upsurge of research into the mechanisms underlying LDD. We summarize these findings by formulating six generalizations stating that LDD is generally more common in open terrestrial landscapes, and is typically driven by large and migratory animals, extreme meteorological phenomena, ocean currents and human transportation, each transporting a variety of seed morphologies. LDD is often associated with unusual behavior of the standard vector inferred from plant dispersal morphology, or mediated by nonstandard vectors. To advance our understanding of LDD, we advocate a vector-based research approach that identifies the significant LDD vectors and quantifies how environmental conditions modify their actions.

727 citations

References
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Book
10 Jun 1998
TL;DR: A Geographical Perspective on Germination Ecology: Tropical and Sub-tropical Zones as discussed by the authors, Temperate and Arctic Zones, and Semi-Arctic Zones: Temperate, Subtropical, and Arctic zones.
Abstract: Introduction. Ecologically Meaningful Germination Studies. Types of Seed Dormancy. Germination Ecology of Seeds with Nondeep Physiological Dormancy. Germination Ecology of Seeds with Morphophysiological Dormancy. Germination Ecology of Seeds with Physical Dormancy. Germination Ecology of Seeds in the Persistent Seed Bank. Causes of Within-Species Variations in Seed Dormancy and Germination Characteristics. A Geographical Perspective on Germination Ecology: Tropical and Subtropical Zones. A Geographical Perspective on Germination Ecology: Temperate and Arctic Zones. Germination Ecology of Plants with Specialized Life Cycles and/or Habitats. Biogeographical and Evolutionary Aspects of Seed Dormancy. Subject Index.

4,307 citations

Book
01 Jan 1963

2,698 citations


"Seed dispersal by white-tailed deer..." refers background in this paper

  • ...It is possible deer have helped facilitate the escape of some plants from cultivation: 14 of the species we found are both cultivated and escaped in northeast USA ( Gleason and Cronquist 1991; Uva et al. 1997), including the garden flower Portulaca grandiflora (with small seeds that simply fall from the capsule), which has only recently become naturalized in the local flora (F.R....

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  • ...Nomenclature follows Gleason and Cronquist (1991) ...

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01 Jan 1979

2,568 citations


"Seed dispersal by white-tailed deer..." refers background in this paper

  • ...primarily by water (Mal et al. 1992): white-tailed deer provide a means of upstream spread and overland dispersal to new watersheds....

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BookDOI
TL;DR: This chapter discusses the evolution of Dispersal Organs in General, and discusses the role of dispersal strategy and the Biocoenosis in this process.
Abstract: I. Introduction.- A. The Place of Dispersal in the Chain of Life.- B. Limitations and Objections.- C. History and General Literature.- II. General Terminology.- III. The Units of Dispersal.- Vegetative Parts in Dispersal and False Vivipary.- IV. The Relation Between Flowers, Seeds and Fruits.- A. Seed and Fruit.- B. Morphological Fruit Systems.- C. Morphological Interaction Between Fruit and Flower.- 1. General.- 2. Position.- 3. Monovuly and Monospermy.- 4. Inferiority and the Calyx.- D. Inadequacy of Current Fruit Terminology.- V. Ecological Dispersal Classes, Established on the Basis of the Dispersing Agents.- A. General.- B. Invertebrates.- C. Fishes and Ichthyochory.- D. Reptiles and Saurochory.- E. Birds and Ornithochory.- 1. Epizoochory by Birds.- 2. Synzoochorous Bird Diaspores.- 3. Endozoochory.- Non-adapted Diaspores.- Adapted Diaspores.- The Syndrome of Bird Diaspores.- Oil-containing Fruits.- Remarks on Evolution.- Mimesis (Imitative Seeds).- F. Mammals and Mammaliochory.- 1. General.- 2. Dyszoochory and Rodents.- 3. Accidental Endozoochory.- 4. Adaptive Endozoochory.- Ungulates.- Bats and Chiropterochory.- Primates.- Various Mammals.- G. Ants and Myrmecochory.- H. Wind and Anemochory.- 1. General.- 2. Dust Diaspores.- 3. Balloons.- 4. Plumed (Comose) Diaspores.- 5. Winged Diaspores.- 6. Tumbleweeds.- 7. Wind-Ballists (Anemoballists).- J. Water and Hydrochory.- 1. General.- 2. Rain Wash (Ombrohydrochory).- 3. Rain-Ballists.- 4. Submerged Transport in Water.- 5. Floating Diaspores.- K. Epizoochory, Transport on the Outside of Animals in General.- 1. Diverse Origins.- 2. Trample Burrs.- 3. Water Burrs.- 4. Burrs and Other Adhesives Above Ground Level.- 5. Other Spiny Fruits.- L. Autochory, Dispersal by the Plant Itself.- 1. General.- 2. Active Ballists.- 3. Passive Ballists.- 4. Creeping Diaspores.- M. Barochory, Dispersal by Weight Only.- N. Retrospective View.- VI. Dispersal Strategy and the Biocoenosis.- A. Atelochory.- 1. General.- 2. Synaptospermy.- 3. Basicarpy.- 4. Geocarpy.- B. Polychory and Attendant Phenomena.- 1. General.- 2. Heterodiaspory.- 3. Tachyspory.- C. Concluding Remarks on Synecology.- 1. Deserts.- 2. The Rain Forest.- 3. Epiphytes.- 4. The Arctic.- 5. Island Floras.- 6. Plant Sociology and Dispersal.- 7. Coordinated Dispersal.- VII. Establishment.- A. General.- B. Fixation.- C. Vivipary.- D. Germination.- 1. General Importance.- 2. Span of Life and Dormancy.- 3. Influence of Dispersing Agents and Other Stimuli.- VIII. The Evolution of Dispersal Organs in General.- A. Aims.- B. Isosporous Pteridophytes.- C. Heterosporous Pteridophytes with Free Megaspores.- D. Pteridosperms.- E. Gymnosperms (or Pre-Angiosperms).- F. Angiosperms.- 1. The Seed.- 2. The Seed Escaped from Angiospermy.- 3. The Sarcotesta Maintained in Conventional Fruits.- 4. Arilloids.- 5. Pulpa.- 6. The Pericarp Fruit.- Shift of Function.- Autonomous Cycles.- Further Evolutionary Influences and Processes.- IX. Ecological Developments in Leguminous Fruits.- X. Dispersal and the Evolution of Grasses.- A. Comparison with Cyperaceae.- B. Return to Gramineae (i.c. Oryzeae).- C. Bambusoid Grasses.- D. Bamboos.- E. Open Plains and Higher Grasses.- F. Some More Remarks on Awns and on Establishment.- G. Retrospective Views.- XI. Man and His Plants in Relation to Dispersal.- References.- Index of Scientific Plant Names.- Index of Scientific Animal Names.

1,679 citations