粪种子库的理论基础、影响因素和生态意义

Theoretical basis,influencing factors and ecological significance of dung seed bank

成熟种子被动物采食和排泄后,沉积在粪便中的有活力的种子称为粪种子库。种子经动物消化道携带而实现传播的过程称为消化道传播,粪种子库是种子消化道传播的必经阶段和关键节点。粪种子库和种子消化道传播一直以来都是生态学家关注的热点。介绍了粪种子库的形成原因和理论基础,指出粪种子库是动-植物互作的结果;讨论了影响粪种子库结构和组成的因素,包括种子形态、动物种类和外界环境对粪种子库生态功能的调控作用;阐述了粪种子库的生态意义,主要表现为种子远距离传播、粪便物质返还以及促进植物群落更新和发展;最后指出将来关于粪种子库的研究需要重点关注的几个方面问题,以期为合理、全面认识粪种子库提供理论参考,并为深刻理解动-植物互作机制提供科学依据。

When mature plant seeds are consumed by animals,some of these seeds survive passage through the digestive tract and are ultimately deposited in dung.These viable seeds in animal feces constitute the dung seed bank.The process of seeds carried by the digestive tract of animals called endozoochory seed dispersal,and the dung seed bank is a necessary stage and a key node for the endozoochorous.Dung seed bank as well as endozhhchory seed dispersal have long been the hot spot for ecologists.This paper introduced the reasons and theoretical basis for the formation of dung seed bank,and pointed out that dung seed bank was the result of animal-plant interactions.Several factors affecting the composition and structure of dung seed bank were discussed,including the regulation mechanisms of seed morphology,animal species and external environment on the ecological function of the dung seed bank.The ecological significance of the dung seed bank was also expounded,which mainly manifested in the long-distance seed dispersal,return of fecal substrate,and the promotion of plant community renewal and development.Finally,several aspects that need to be focused in future research of dung seed bank were discussed.The purpose of this literature review was to provide a theoretical reference for a reasonable and comprehensive understanding of the dung seed bank as well as the mechanisms of animal-plant interactions.