Estimation of potential seed dispersal regions based on floating and ballochory of Euphorbia adenochlora capsules

The ability to disperse individuals and seeds among subpopulations is required for the sustainability of plant metapopulations. Understanding the mechanism of seed dispersal is essential for the conservation and restoration of plant diversity. In this study, Euphorbia adenochlora growing on floodplains was used as a research target to obtain new knowledge about hydrochory and ballochory and estimate potential dispersal range related to hydrological regimes. A wetland spreading around the Omi Maiko Inner Lake in Minami-Komatsu, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, was the study site. E. adenochlora bear capsules, which have a three-chambered hollow structure and which float on water up to 14 days, they can be dispersed by hydrochory. The capsule of E. adenochlora splits open when it dries, and ejects the seeds at a maximum distance of 4.1 m, indicating that the drifting capsule is capable for secondary dispersal by ballochory. At the study site, 2% of E. adenochlora subpopulations were wi..., The buoyancy and ballochory experiment
In total, 164 capsules of E. adenochlora were randomly collected from several subpopulation s at the study site on May 23, 2023. Only ripe capsules were collected, although there were mixtures of ripe and brown capsules, unripe and green capsules, and capsules that had already fallen off. The collected capsules were sealed in plastic bags and taken to the laboratory, and floating experiments were started on the following day (May 24). Considering that some capsules had split open at the beginning of the experiment, 115 capsules were placed in a container filled with tap water and placed indoors. The air conditioning was switched off, so the temperature in the room was the same as outdoors, around 25°C. Approximately every 7 days, I counted the sunken capsules and ten capsules were randomly selected from the sunken capsules, dried on paper towels, and placed in a room (6 m × 7 m) unaffected by wind and rain. Approximately 7 days after placement, the..., , # Estimation of potential seed dispersal regions based on floating and ballochory of Euphorbia adenochlora capsules

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rn8pk0pnc](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rn8pk0pnc)

## Description of the data and file structure

1.    The ability to disperse individuals and seeds among subpopulations is required for the sustainability of plant metapopulations. Understanding the mechanism of seed dispersal is essential for the conservation and restoration of plant diversity.

2.    In this study, *Euphorbia adenochlora* growing on floodplains was used as a research target to obtain new knowledge about hydrochory and ballochory and estimate potential dispersal range related to hydrological regimes. A wetland spreading around the Omi Maiko Inner Lake in Minami-Komatsu, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, was the study site.

### Files and variables

#### File: The\_buoyancy\_and\_ballochory\_experiment.xlsx

**Description:** Result of the buoyancy and ballochory experime...