<P> Seed dispersal also allows plants to reach specific habitats that are favorable for survival, a hypothesis known as directed dispersal . For example, Ocotea endresiana (Lauraceae) is a tree species from Latin America which is dispersed by several species of birds, including the three - wattled bellbird . Male bellbirds perch on dead trees in order to attract mates, and often defecate seeds beneath these perches where the seeds have a high chance of survival because of high light conditions and escape from fungal pathogens . In the case of fleshy - fruited plants, seed - dispersal in animal guts (endozoochory) often enhances the amount, the speed, and the asynchrony of germination, which can have important plant benefits . </P> <P> Seeds dispersed by ants (myrmecochory) are not only dispersed short distances but are also buried underground by the ants . These seeds can thus avoid adverse environmental effects such as fire or drought, reach nutrient - rich microsites and survive longer than other seeds . These features are peculiar to myrmecochory, which may thus provide additional benefits not present in other dispersal modes . </P> <P> Finally, at another scale, seed dispersal may allow plants to colonize vacant habitats and even new geographic regions . Dispersal distances and deposition sites depend on the movement range of the disperser, and longer dispersal distances are sometimes accomplished through diplochory, the sequential dispersal by two or more different dispersal mechanisms . In fact, recent evidence suggests that the majority of seed dispersal events involves more than one dispersal phase . </P> <P> Seed dispersal is sometimes split into autochory (when dispersal is attained using the plant's own means) and allochory (when obtained through external means). </P>

Project on dispersal of seeds by various agencies