The total dispersal kernel: a review and future directions.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Plant Biology
• Biogeography

Background:

• Plant distribution and abundance are influenced by seed dispersal, often described by dispersal kernels.
• The total dispersal kernel (TDK) integrates all dispersal vectors affecting plants.
• Understanding TDK is crucial for predicting plant adaptation to environmental changes and population spread.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing research on the total dispersal kernel (TDK).
• To discuss advances in empirical, conceptual modeling, and statistical approaches for TDK characterization.
• To identify challenges and propose future directions for TDK research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on TDKs.
• Analysis of empirical, conceptual modeling, and statistical approaches.
• Discussion of challenges in measuring and modeling dispersal vectors.

Main Results:

• Few well-characterized TDKs exist due to significant empirical challenges.
• Studies often neglect certain dispersal vectors, long-distance dispersal, and spatial heterogeneity.
• Existing modeling approaches can combine individual kernels but require robust prior information.

Conclusions:

• A modeling cycle integrating empirical data and models is recommended for TDK parameterization.
• The TDK concept should be extended to include establishment and reproductive success (total effective dispersal kernel).
• Further research is needed to overcome empirical challenges and fully characterize TDKs for accurate ecological predictions.