Estimated epizoochory seed dispersal distances by grazing yak across seasons in an alpine meadow
Shulin Wang, Fujiang Hou

TL;DR
This study shows that yaks can disperse plant seeds over long distances, especially in spring, helping maintain plant diversity in alpine meadows.
Contribution
The study quantifies seasonal seed dispersal distances by yaks and identifies the role of seed structures in retention.
Findings
Seed dispersal distances by yaks vary seasonally, with the highest in spring and lowest in winter.
Seeds with adhesive structures like mucilage can be dispersed up to ~35 km by yaks.
Seasonal grazing allows diaspores to move between pastures due to slow seed loss from yak fur.
Abstract
Epizoochorous dispersal of grassland plants by large herbivores is an important way by which grassland plants achieve population expansion over long distances. However, little is known about the maximum distance that seeds can be dispersed by domestic animals under seasonal grazing, which is the most common type of grassland management worldwide, especially in alpine regions. To this end, we estimated the distance over which epizoochory dispersal occurs via yaks (Poephagus grunniens) for seven common plant species seeds in an alpine meadow under seasonal grazing using a simulated yak-fur seed adhesion test combined with observations of grazing behavior. The results showed that, as yak primary (e.g., walking time) and secondary (e.g., foraging rate) behavioral patterns differed significantly across seasons (P< 0.05), the epizoochory dispersal distances of plant seeds also had clear…
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Taxonomy
TopicsAeolian processes and effects · Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies · Rangeland and Wildlife Management
