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The role of epizoochorous seed dispersal of forest plant species in a fragmented landscape

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Bente Jessen Graae
Bente Jessen Graae*
Affiliation:
Botanical Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2D Copenhagen 1353 Denmark
*
*Correspondence Fax: +45–35–32–23–21 Email: bentej@bot.ku.dk Postal address:2001–2004: Arctic Station, 3953 Qeqertarsuaq, Greenland.
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Abstract

A domestic dog was used in two experiments to elucidate the role of epizoochorous seed dispersal of forest plants. First, the dog was walked through forest vegetation at different times of year and its coat analysed for seeds retained within it. The seed content of the coat was compared to seed frequencies in the vegetation. Secondly, seeds of 11 plant species were placed in different positions on the dog, and their persistence in the coat analysed with respect to distance subsequently travelled. The experiments demonstrate that seeds with morphological adaptations to seed dispersal and small seeds of tall species can be caught effectively by a dog’s coat. The morphologically adapted seeds can be dispersed over large distances as long as the dog moves steadily along a road. The same is true for species with small and smooth seeds if they are deposited on the back of the dog, but not if they are placed on its side. Comparisons of these results with the distribution of forest species in a fragmented landscape, indicated that tall species with small seeds and species with morphological adaptations for epizoochorous dispersal are good at colonizing new forest habitats.

Keywords

colonizationepizoochoryforest continuityisolationlarge mammalsseed dispersal
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , June 2002 , pp. 113 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002

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