Knowra Seed predation Seed predation Seed predation is the consumption of seeds by animals before or after dispersal. It reduces the number of seeds available to germinate and can shape plant populations and animal behavior.
Seed defenses : Physical or chemical traits that reduce seed damage or consumption by animals and other organisms. Hard coats, toxins, and other defenses can make seeds harder or less rewarding to eat.
Seed predation in agriculture : The consumption of planted or ripening crop seeds by animals, reducing establishment or harvest. Birds, rodents, and insects can remove seeds before crops become established.
Plant population dynamics : Changes in plant abundance, survival, and age structure through time. Seed consumption alters the recruitment that drives plant population change.
Acorn predation : The consumption of oak acorns by animals such as rodents, deer, and insects. Acorns are heavily consumed, yet rodent caching also moves them to new germination sites.
Seed dispersal mutualism : A mutualistic interaction in which animals transport seeds and plants gain dispersal. Unlike seed predation, successful dispersal leaves seeds viable after animal handling.
Seed dispersal : The movement of seeds away from the parent plant by animals, wind, water, or other agents. Animals that carry seeds may destroy them or deposit them intact elsewhere.
Forest regeneration : The renewal of forest stands through the establishment and growth of new trees. Seed predation can restrict which tree species regenerate and where seedlings appear.
Plant–animal interaction : Ecological relationships in which plants and animals affect one another. Seed predation is one interaction within the wider network of plant and animal effects.
Granivory : The consumption of seeds or grains by animals. Seed predation is a plant-focused form of granivory, which also includes stored grains.
Herbivory : The consumption of living plant tissues by animals. Seed predation targets reproductive propagules, whereas herbivory usually targets vegetative tissues.
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