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Sphagnum moss disperses spores with vortex rings
Dwight L Whitaker1, Joan Edwards
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Pomona College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA. dwight.whitaker@pomona.edu
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 24, 2010
Summary
Sphagnum moss uses exploding capsules to create vortex rings, launching spores high into the air for long-distance dispersal. This plant mechanism efficiently overcomes low spore terminal velocities, aiding colonization.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Biophysics
- Ecology
Background:
- Sphagnum spores have low terminal velocities, limiting dispersal range.
- Dispersal distance is highly dependent on release height, which is constrained for nonvascular plants.
- Vascular plants achieve height for wind dispersal, but Sphagnum cannot.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spore dispersal mechanism of Sphagnum moss.
- To understand how nonvascular plants achieve long-distance spore dispersal.
- To identify novel plant-generated aerial dispersal mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- High-speed video analysis of Sphagnum capsule explosions.
- Measurement of spore velocities and trajectories.
- Comparison of ballistic launch versus vortex ring-assisted launch.
Main Results:
- Sphagnum exploding capsules generate vortex rings.
- Vortex rings efficiently lift spores to heights enabling dispersal by air currents.
- Ballistic launch of spores at similar speeds results in minimal travel distance in still air.
Conclusions:
- Sphagnum utilizes plant-generated vortex rings for effective spore dispersal.
- This mechanism allows nonvascular plants to overcome height limitations for colonization.
- This study reveals a novel plant-based generation of vortex rings for aerial dispersal.
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