Correction: Human-Mediated Dispersal of Seeds by the Airflow of Vehicles

Abstract

Human-mediated dispersal is known as an important driver of long-distance dispersal for plants but underlying mechanisms have rarely been assessed. Road corridors function as routes of secondary dispersal for many plant species but the extent to which vehicles support this process remains unclear. In this paper we quantify dispersal distances and seed deposition of plant species moved over the ground by the slipstream of passing cars. We exposed marked seeds of four species on a section of road and drove a car along the road at a speed of 48 km/h. By tracking seeds we quantified movement parallel as well as lateral to the road, resulting dispersal kernels, and the effect of repeated vehicle passes. Median distances travelled by seeds along the road were about eight meters for species with wind dispersal morphologies and one meter for species without such adaptations. Airflow created by the car lifted seeds and resulted in longitudinal dispersal. Single seeds reached our maximum measuring distance of 45 m and for some species exceeded distances under primary dispersal. Mathematical models were fit to dispersal kernels. The incremental effect of passing vehicles on longitudinal dispersal decreased with increasing number of passes as seeds accumulated at road verges. We conclude that dispersal by vehicle airflow facilitates seed movement along roads and accumulation of seeds in roadside habitats. Dispersal by vehicle airflow can aid the spread of plant species and thus has wide implications for roadside ecology, invasion biology and nature conservation.

Seeds and the City: The Interdependence of Zoochory and Ecosystem Dynamics in Urban Environments

“…Seed dispersal has been indicated as a critical factor in driving assembly patterns of urban plant communities (Johnson et al, 2018), and is integral in connecting urban green habitats with one another and with the surrounding landscape (Culley et al, 2007). Seed dispersal by humans has been examined in detail (Wichmann et al, 2009;Auffret, 2011;Bullock et al, 2018) especially in urban habitats (von der Lippe and Kowarik, 2008Kowarik, , 2012von der Lippe et al, 2013), however, animal seed dispersal in urban environments remains understudied.…”

Seed ingestion and germination in rattlesnakes: overlooked agents of rescue and secondary dispersal

“…Dispersal, which can occur by various abiotic and biotic mechanisms, allows propagules to (i) escape competition with conspecifics and relatives, (ii) reach safe locations for germination, and (iii) colonize distant sites (e.g. [4][5][6][7]). Quantifying seed dispersal and subsequent success (e.g.…”

Seed Production, Viability, and Reproductive Limits of the Invasive Ailanthus altissima (Tree-of-Heaven) within Invaded Environments

“…The impact of such large-scale invasions in forests and their adverse effects on native species richness and incidence have only been recently elucidated [7][8][9][10]. Invasions of Ailanthus along transportation corridors have long been recognized, but only recently have studies assessed the mechanisms of spread in these environments [11][12][13]. Researchers are now beginning to appreciate the role that roads play in facilitating forest invasions [13,14].…”

“…Invasions of Ailanthus along transportation corridors have long been recognized, but only recently have studies assessed the mechanisms of spread in these environments [11][12][13]. Researchers are now beginning to appreciate the role that roads play in facilitating forest invasions [13,14].…”