Data from: Population density and size influence pollen dispersal pattern and mating system of the predominantly outcrossed Banksia nivea (Proteaceae) in a threatened ecological community

Gene flow is a critical component of plant mating systems and influences
population fitness, yet pollen dispersal can be highly variable and
influenced by natural and anthropogenic fragmentation. Gene flow through
pollen dispersal was investigated in two populations of contrasting size
and habitat context in Banksia nivea ssp. uliginosa, a rare species in the
Busselton ironstone threatened ecological community with a naturally
fragmented distribution. Paternity analysis was conducted with seven
microsatellite loci to determine mating system parameters and patterns of
pollen dispersal. Outcrossing was high in both populations with a similar
level of selfing for both populations despite differences in population
size, density and vegetation matrix. Most mating occurred within 10 m of a
mother plant in the small, clumped population, while more dispersed
mating, up to 50 m from a mother plant, was recorded in the large, less
dense population. Our results show that population density and size are
important influences on mating system parameters and level of pollen
dispersal.