Measuring short distance dispersal of Alliaria petiolata and determining potential long distance dispersal mechanisms.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Alliaria petiolata, an herbaceous plant, has invaded woodlands in North America. Its ecology has been thoroughly studied, but an overlooked aspect of its biology is seed dispersal distances and mechanisms. We measured seed dispersal distances in the field and tested if epizoochory is a potential mechanism for long-distance seed dispersal.

Methods

Dispersal distances were measured by placing seed traps in a sector design around three seed point sources, which consisted of 15 second-year plants transplanted within a 0.25 m radius circle. Traps were placed at intervals ranging from 0.25-3.25 m from the point source. Traps remained in the field until a majority of seeds were dispersed. Eight probability density functions were fitted to seed trap counts via ma

SUBMITTER: Loebach CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5857352 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature