Our latest research reveals that unexpected modes of seed dispersal are critical to weed spread.
When seeds mislead, weeds succeed
Fruit-eating animals spread invasive plants
In a paper recently published online, Moa’s Ark Research Principal Ecologist Debra Wotton and co-author Kate McAlpine (Department of Conservation) found that nearly a third of invasive plant species in New Zealand have fleshy-fruits whose seeds are dispersed by animals.
Lizards, berries & seed dispersal
Debra Wotton, Principal Ecologist & Director at Moa’s Ark Research, recently gave an invited talk on the role of lizards as seed dispersers in New Zealand at the SRARNZ (Society for Research on Amphibians and Reptiles in New Zealand) conference in Nelson.