Seed Predation Dynamics in Invasive Plant Systems
Summary
Seed predation shapes the success and spread of invasive plants by regulating seed survival, dispersal and recruitment. Invasive species often escape their native predators, leading to reduced pre- and post-dispersal seed losses, yet they may encounter novel seed predators in introduced ranges. These interactions drive shifts in seed bank persistence, alter population trajectories and influence community assembly. Pre-dispersal predation by specialised insects can reduce viable seed output, while post-dispersal granivory by rodents and birds may either suppress invasion or, paradoxically, facilitate spread through secondary dispersal. The balance between enemy release and biotic resistance varies geographically, depending on local predator assemblages, plant reproductive traits and environmental context. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting invasion risk, designing biocontrol programmes and restoring invaded habitats. Recent work emphasises multitrophic networks, where seed predators, parasitoids and microbial agents interact within invasive stands, revealing opportunities to reinstate top-down control. Practical applications include the targeted introduction or conservation of seed predators to reduce seed banks, integration of seed predation metrics into risk assessments and adaptive management that combines mechanical removal with enhancement of natural predation.
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Seed Predation Dynamics in Invasive Plant Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in seed predation dynamics in invasive plant systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Seed predation: Consumption of seeds by animals, including insects and vertebrates, which reduces or eliminates seed viability.
Pre-dispersal predation: Loss of seeds within fruits or capsules before they are released from the parent plant.
Bruchidae: A family of seed-feeding beetles (bruchid beetles) often considered for the biological control of invasive legumes.
Biotic resistance: The ability of resident species to limit the establishment and spread of invaders through predation, competition or disease.
Seed bank: The reservoir of viable seeds present in soil or litter, which contributes to future plant recruitment.
References
- Can multitrophic interactions shape morphometry, allometry, and fluctuating asymmetry of seed-feeding insects?. PLOS ONE (2020).
- Reproductive capacities and development of a seed bruchid beetle, Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus, a potentialhost for the mass rearing of the parasitoid, Dinarmus basalis. Journal of Insect Science (2010).
- Acanthoscelides atrocephalus (Pic, 1938) and Its Potential for Biological Control of Two Weed Species. Agronomy (2025).
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