Data from: Wind dispersal is predicted by tree, not diaspore, traits in comparisons of neotropical species

1. The seed shadow created by wind dispersal around parent trees may be
affected by functional traits, as well as wind conditions and surrounding
vegetation. 2. This study of one mature tree each of 12 Neotropical
species determined the extent to which species variation in diaspore
traits vs. tree height and crop size explains (1) rate of diaspore descent
in still air, (2) distributions of diaspores dispersed from a 40-m tower
in the forest, and (3) natural seed shadows around the parent tree. 3. A
model of diaspore wing-loading to a fitted power explained 66.9% of the
variation among species in the geometric mean rate of descent in still
air. For a subset of four species, expected dispersal distance was not
correlated with actual dispersal distance from the forest tower. For a
subset of seven species, variation in wing-loading1/2 of individual
diaspores explained ≤4.3% of the dispersal distance from the parent tree.
4. Measured seed shadows, particularly their distribution edges and area,
differed significantly among the 12 species (range in maximum tree height
19–42 m), and were best fit by 12 separate anisotropic dispersal kernels
and surveyed fecundities. Measured mean distance was highly correlated
with simulated distances from the kernels. 5. The best models, explaining
57.6% of the variation among species in shadow area, and 59.6, 61.6, and
61.7% of variation in mean, median and maximum distances, included maximum
tree height, either alone or in combination with crop size, and not
diaspore rate of descent. 6. Among 10 species, seed shadow area was not
related to rank of seedling shade tolerance. In their highly skewed
distributions, most seeds were much closer than the distance of greatest
seedling recruitment and in very high density, thus enhancing later
density- and/or distance-related seedling mortality. 7. Tree functional
traits, rather than the historically emphasized diaspore traits, explain
distance distributions of these wind-dispersed species. Additional
exploration of diaspore abscission in relation to wind and the influence
of wind patterns after release are needed.