Mechanism of Long-Distance Seed Dispersal by Wind
A joint project with the Ben-Gurion University (BGU Contact: Ran Nathan)
Sponsored by: NSF - Directorate for Biological Sciences
The vast majority of seeds are dispersed only short distances from the parent, but some may reach much larger distances as a result of long-distance dispersal (LDD) events. The study of seed dispersal has largely concentrated on short-distance dispersal, and its significant effects at the population and community level. However, the small minority of LDD events may have disproportionately large effects on plant recruitment dynamics, especially with respect to climate change, invasions, and gene flow. Since LDD events are typically rare, their empirical quantification is difficult; hence their magnitude, extent and underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, we aim to investigate these basic questions for wind-dispersed tree species of the northeastern USA. The research will employ a mixed strategy of observation, experiment, and modeling bridging the biological and atmospheric sciences. Field observations and laboratory experiments will be used to investigate the mechanism of LDD by wind, focusing on the role of vertical wind updrafts. We will extend existing models and work to develop new ones integrating biological and atmospheric components. Results of the empirical work will be incorporated in these models to simulate the movement of wind-dispersed tree seeds across a few km (i.e., a micro-a scale) of unforested landscape, and the modelsą predictions will be tested against independent field data. This research represents the first extended and integrated attempt to evaluate the mechanisms and patterns of LDD of tree seeds by wind, and to provide a tool to elucidate its role in recruitment and in the dynamics of geographical range. The resulting models could in the future be applied to the restoration and management of natural and planted forests; planning of sustainable afforestation and reforestation projects; and prediction of range changes, carbon budgets and other issues related to future global climate change.
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