LETTER

Antagonistic effects of seed dispersal and herbivory on plant migration

  1. Mark Vellend1,*,
  2. Tiffany M. Knight2,
  3. John M. Drake3

Article first published online: 12 JAN 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2005.00878.x

Issue

Ecology Letters

Ecology Letters

Volume 9, Issue 3, pages 319–326, March 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Vellend, M., Knight, T. M. and Drake, J. M. (2006), Antagonistic effects of seed dispersal and herbivory on plant migration. Ecology Letters, 9: 319–326. doi: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2005.00878.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Departments of Botany and Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4

  2. 2

    Department of Biology, Washington University, Box No. 1137, St Louis, MO 63130, USA

  3. 3

    National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, 735 State Street, Suite 300, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

*E-mail: mvellend@interchange.ubc.ca

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 JAN 2006
  2. Article first published online: 12 JAN 2006
  3. Editor, Don Waller Manuscript received 23 September 2005 First decision made 31 October 2005 Second decision made 21 November 2005 Manuscript accepted 24 November 2005

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Keywords:

  • Deer;
  • dispersal;
  • forest herb;
  • glaciation;
  • herbivory;
  • Holocene;
  • migration;
  • population growth;
  • Trillium grandiflorum

Abstract

The two factors that determine plant migration rates – seed dispersal and population growth – are generally treated independently, despite the fact that many animals simultaneously enhance plant migration rate via seed dispersal, and decrease it via negative effects of herbivory on population growth. Using extensive empirical data, we modelled the antagonistic effects of seed dispersal and herbivory by white-tailed deer on potential migration rates of Trillium grandiflorum, a forest herb in eastern North America. This novel antagonistic interaction is illustrated by maximum migration rates occurring at intermediate, but low herbivory (< 15%). Assuming herbivory < 20% and favourable conditions for population growth during post-glacial migration, seed dispersal by deer can explain rates of migration achieved in the past, in contrast to previous models of forest herb migration. However, relatively unfavourable conditions for population growth and increasingly intense herbivory by deer may compromise plant migration in the face of present and future climate change.

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