Implications of waterbird ecology for the dispersal of aquatic organisms

Abstract

In this paper, we review some potential implications of waterbird ecology for their role as dispersers of aquatic plants and invertebrates. We focus particularly on internal transport (endozoochory) by the Anatidae (mainly ducks) and shorebirds, groups especially important for dispersal processes owing to their abundance, migratory habitats and diets. We conduct a literature review to assess the seasonal patterns shown by Anatidae in consumption of seeds and plankton, the interspecific patterns in such consumption (including the effects of body size, bill morphology, etc.), and differences in habitat use (e.g., shoreline vs. open water specialists) and migration patterns between species (e.g., true migrants vs. nomads). We show that many shorebirds are important consumers of seeds as well as plankton, and suggest that their role in plant dispersal has been underestimated. This review confirms that Anatidae, shorebirds and other waterbirds have great potential as dispersers of aquatic organisms, but illustrates how closely related, sympatric bird species can have very different roles in dispersal of specific aquatic organisms. Furthermore, great spatial and temporal variation is likely in dispersal patterns realized by a given bird population. We present evidence suggesting that northbound dispersal of aquatic propagules by endozoochory during spring migration is a frequent process in the northern hemisphere. Much more systematic fieldwork and reanalysis of the existing data sets (e.g., from diet studies) are needed before the relative roles of various waterbird species as dispersers can be fully assessed.