Seed dispersal in six species of terrestrial orchids in Biebrza National Park

Seed dispersal in six species of terrestrial orchids in Biebrza National Park

Knowledge about seed dispersal is required to explain problems in ecology, phylogeography, and conservation biology. Even though seed dispersal is a fundamental mechanism to understand problems at different levels of biological organization (individual, population, species, landscape), it remains on...

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Published in:Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae Vol. 86; no. 3; p. E1
Main Authors: Brzosko, Emilia, Ostrowiecka, Beata, Kotowicz, Jaroslaw, Bolesta, Magdalena, Gromotowicz, Aneta, Gromotowicz, Malgorzata, Orzechowska, Anna, Orzolek, Justyna, Wojdalska, Marta
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Warsaw Polskie Towarzystwo Botaniczne 01-01-2017
Polish Botanical Society
Subjects:
Botanical research
Conservation biology
Dispersal
dispersal vector
Fruits
long-distance dispersal
National parks
Orchidaceae
Orchids
Seed dispersal
Seeds
Shoots
short-distance dispersal
Species
Statistical analysis
terrestrial orchids
Poland
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Summary:Knowledge about seed dispersal is required to explain problems in ecology, phylogeography, and conservation biology. Even though seed dispersal is a fundamental mechanism to understand problems at different levels of biological organization (individual, population, species, landscape), it remains one of the least recognized processes. Similar to other groups of plants, very little is known regarding patterns and distances of seed dispersal in orchids. Orchid seeds are generally assumed to be widely dispersed by wind because of their small size and low weight. Between 2006 and 2008, we conducted a field study of the distances at which orchid seeds are dispersed, and determined factors affecting dispersal. Investigations included 13 populations of six terrestrial orchid species – Cypripedium calceolus, Cephalanthera rubra, Epipactis helleborine, Goodyera repens, Neottia ovata, and Platanthera bifolia. To evaluate seed dispersal in orchid populations, 8.5-cm Petri dishes (traps) with self-adhesive paper were placed along transects, starting from a group of fruiting plants, which were considered to be the dispersal source. Seeds of the investigated orchid species were dispersed over relatively short distances. There were statistically significant negative correlations between seed density and distance from the fruiting plants. Seeds of species with taller fruiting shoots were dispersed farther than those with shorter ones (R = 0.68, p < 0.05). We discuss the causes and consequences of the dispersal patterns of orchid seeds.
ISSN:0001-6977
2083-9480
DOI:10.5586/asbp.3557