Size matters for violent discharge height and settling speed of Sphagnum spores: important attributes for dispersal potential.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Initial release height and settling speed of diaspores are biologically controlled components which are key to modelling wind dispersal. Most Sphagnum (peat moss) species have explosive spore liberation. In this study, how capsule and spore sizes affect the height to which spores are propelled were measured, and how spore size and spore number of discharged particles relate to settling speed in the aspherical Sphagnum spores.

Methods

Spore discharge and spore cloud development were filmed in a closed chamber (nine species). Measurements were taken from snapshots at three stages of cloud development. Settling speed of spores (14 species) and clusters were timed in a glass tube.

Key results

The maximum discharge speed measured was 3.6 m s(-1). Spores

SUBMITTER: Sundberg S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2814761 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature