Responses of secondary wind dispersal to environmental characteristics and diaspore morphology of seven Calligonum species

Abstract

Secondary diaspore dispersal by wind, that is, wind‐driven movement along the ground surface (GS), is important for the structure and dynamics of plant populations and communities. However, how wind velocity (WV), GS, and diaspore morphology influence diaspore secondary dispersal by wind are unclear. We used a wind tunnel and video camera to measure the threshold of WV (TWV) and diaspore velocities (DV) of secondary diaspore dispersal. Diaspores of seven Calligonum species with different appendages (wings, bristles, membranous balloon, and wings + thorns) were used to determine the TWV and DV under variable wind speed (4, 6, 8, and 10 m s‐1) and four GSs (cement, sand, loam, and gravel). GS and diaspore morphological traits explained 37.1 and 18% of diaspore TWV, respectively. Meanwhile, WV, GS, and diaspore morphological traits explained 62.4, 13.6, and 3.2% of DV, respectively. An increasing trend was shown for TWV, and a decreasing trend was shown for DV in the order of cement, sand, loam, and gravel surfaces. Spherical and light diaspores had low TWV and high DV, whereas winged and heavy diaspores had high TWV and low DV. Our results indicated that adaptive features of diaspore appendages might be the result of selection for primary dispersal or secondary dispersal. The mechanism of diaspore secondary dispersal is important for understanding the recovery of degraded sand dunes and providing theoretical support for restoration practices.