Characteristics of the seeds and fruits for different types

of dispersal

Seed dispersal is likely to have several benefits for plant species. First, seed survival is often

higher away from the parent plant. This higher survival may result from the actions of density-dependent seed and seedling predators, which often target the high concentrations of seeds

beneath adults. Competition with adult plants may also be lower when seeds are transported

away from their parent.

Wind dispersal is one of the more primitive means of dispersal. Wind

dispersal can take on one of two primary forms seeds can float on the breeze or alternatively, they

can flutter to the ground..

The classic examples of these dispersal mechanisms include dandelions, which have

a feathery pappus attached to their seeds and can be dispersed long distances, and

maples, which have winged seeds and flutter to the ground. An important

constraint on wind dispersal is the need for abundant seed production to maximise the likelihood of a seed landing in a site suitable

for germination.