Wind tunnel seed trapping experiment (Asteraceae)

Knowledge graph centered on Wind tunnel seed trapping experiment (Asteraceae) with 30 nodes and 107 connections. Top connected: Ligusticum porteri, Asteraceae, plant-pollinator mutualism, Lupinus, Senecio.

Method synopsis

Custom wind tunnel apparatus used to launch seeds at focal plants under controlled wind conditions to measure physical seed trapping rates. Seeds launched individually at 5 m/s wind speed from 15 cm distance to test trapping by vegetation.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 1 paper using this protocol.

Procedure as described in the canonical source

Steps below were extracted from the paper that introduces this protocol — Wind-driven seed dispersal differentially promotes seed trapping and retention across alpine plants (2026), American Journal of Botany. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Set up wind tunnel apparatus
   Wind tunnel consisted of handheld gas leaf blower (B250 27-cc 2-cycle 205 mph 450 cfm; Craftsman, Towson, MD, USA), intake bell, aluminum honeycomb flow straightener (3.18-mm cell), testing chamber, and rear mesh seed trap. Calibrated wind tunnel to have air speeds at or near 5 m/s (11.2 mph) at end of launch platform. Placed wooden launch platform centered and adjacent to flow straightener, with launch platform level and focal plant 15 cm away and centered relative to launch platform.
   Quantities: Wind speed maintained at 5 m/s, platform 15 cm from focal plantDuration: Calibration and setup before each trialConditions: Dry conditions to maintain consistency, trials done only under dry conditions
   Equipment: Craftsman B250 gas leaf blower, aluminum honeycomb flow straightener (3.18-mm cell), testing chamber, mesh seed trap
2. Conduct seed launching trials
   Individually launched seeds by placing each seed with forceps at edge of launch platform, with seed's longest axis pointed at plant and pappus (when applicable) pointed toward ambient wind. After successful launches, left blower on for 30 s. Considered launches successful if seed contacted plant without first touching ground. Seeds trapped if they were physically touching focal plant or directly beneath canopy for entirety of trial. Measured trapping on five plants per focal species from range of sizes by measuring length of longest axis of each plant.
   Quantities: Five plants per focal species (Heterotheca villosa and Lupinus argenteus), multiple seeds per plant. H. villosa length 7-54 cm (mean 27.2 cm), L. argenteus length 4-45 cm (mean 20.2 cm)Duration: Left blower on for 30 seconds after each successful launch. Experiment conducted 1-8 August 2021

Typical Equipment

• Craftsman B250 gas leaf blower
• aluminum honeycomb flow straightener
• testing chamber
• mesh seed trap
• forceps

Output Measurements

• seed trapping probability
• plant length effects

Papers Using This Protocol (1)

Species Studied With This Protocol