Summary Megaherbivores have a considerable impact on species composition and structure of natural plant assemblages at the alpine/nival ecotone of the Alps, but their role as dispersal vectors has scarcely been investigated. This study examined the diet selection of free-ranging ungulates on high-alpine swards with special focus on their potential for endozoochoric dispersal. Grazed areas and fenced control plots were investigated by a point-framing method. Results show that the foraging behaviour of ungulates in high-alpine swards is selective. Flowers and fruits are preferred to leaves. Accordingly, an increase in long-distance dispersal events of alpine vascular plants by grazing ungulates can be predicted. Preferential feeding on the conspicuous flowers of herbs rather than on graminoid inflorescences causes a more pronounced reduction of seed numbers in herbs. We therefore suppose the enhancement of long-distance dispersal to be higher for graminoids. The impact of herbivores on plant migration processes must therefore be considered when changes in alpine plant assemblages are to be assessed.