- Dispersal by wind This is a rather primative form of seed dispersal and is very wasteful. But as long as one or two seeds eventually germinate, then the parent plant has done its' job.
- Dispersal by water Some plants have evolved to ensure that their seed is protected even if it falls into water and is carried for an extended period of time. In the video is the example of the mangrove seed, which may fall directly into the mud below it - but is often carried many miles before it can continue growing.
- Dispersal by animals Animals mainly disperse seed after eating the fruit that surrounds the seed. In this case it is in their droppings, an example being seeds dispersed by birds. The example in the video, though, is of ants. Who take the fruit underground and feed the elaiosome surrounding the seed to their larvae. The seed is then 'dumped' into an underground chamber, where it can then germinate.
- Dispersal by attachment to a carrier A method of seed dispersal for many of us. Finding the burdock seed stuck to our trousers or the dog, then picking it off and letting it drop to the ground. Quite a sneaky method of getting your seed to new ground.
- Dispersal by explosive release This is probably the coolest method of seed dispersal! Often seen in tropical regions where there is little wind to carry the seeds to new ground.
Bibliography
RHS The Garden, February 2013. Lancaster, N
Nice post, neat to include the videos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hollis. Glad you found the videos worthwhile - it took a while to find good ones that were short and concise enough!
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