Seed dispersal phenology and dispersal syndromes in a subtropical broad-leaved forest of China

Abstract

This study describes the dispersal phenology and syndromes in Gutianshan 24 ha plot in a subtropical broad-leaved forest of China. The 130 0.5 m 2 seed traps collected 69,115 mature seeds, representing 27 species (belonging to 24 genera, and 15 families) in 12 months. One marked peak in the number of seeds and species during the year was found in dry season (November). Zoochory was the most common dispersal syndrome (70.4%), followed by anemochory (18.5%), ballistic dispersal (11.1%). Among fruit types, berry (33%), capsule (22%), nut (18%), and drupe (11%) were common in the subtropical evergreen forest. In fruit color, brown was the commonest (40%), followed by dark brown (30%), black (15%), red (11%), and yellow (4%). Overall, the community level seed rain study revealed that one marked peak in seed number occurred in the middle of dry season; zoochory was the principal dispersal mode of woody plants in subtropical forest, and dry seasons favor seed dispersal by animal and wind.