Migratory geese allow plants to disperse to cooler latitudes across the ocean

Aim How plants can disperse in response to global change is a critical question, yet major knowledge gaps persist about long-distance dispersal (LDD) mechanisms. We studied the potential migratory waterfowl has for LDD of flowering via gut passage seeds (endozoochory), comparing spring and autumn migration. Location United Kingdom Iceland. Taxon Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus, Baillon) Angiosperma. Methods endozoochory by geese migrating within between UK Iceland faecal sampling GPS tracking. collected 614 samples from 14 areas one Using tracks these areas, we estimated how far be dispersed geese, where or from. Results recorded 5507 intact 35 species (27 terrestrial) 15 plant families, with lower seed abundance per dropping when birds were northwards during than upon their arrival autumn. Species richness was highest Only four had an “endozoochory syndrome”. movements showed that retained guts up 24 h readily both directions Iceland, maximum distances exceeding 2000 km, as well localities separated 100 s km. Movements ≤400 km even While at stopover sites, daily roost feeding sites often exceed 20 Main Conclusions are vectors previously assumed lack mechanism. Spring migration not only period move cooler latitudes. The pink-footed goose allow terrestrial aquatic cross ocean keep pace climate change.