The Role of Animals in Seed Dispersal

Animals play a crucial role in seed dispersal, which is essential for plant growth. They help spread seeds by eating fruits, carrying seeds on their bodies, and storing seeds in the ground. For instance, bears eat berries and disperse seeds through their digestive system, while horses carry seeds stuck to their bodies over long distances. Squirrels store acorns in the ground, which can germinate if forgotten. These methods ensure seeds find the necessary resources to grow.

What is the term used to describe the movement of seeds to new locations?

• Seed harvesting

• Seed planting

• Seed dispersal

• Seed germination

Why do seeds need to move to different locations?

• To escape from the parent plant

• To increase their size

• To find sunlight, water, nutrients, and space to grow

• To avoid being eaten by animals

How do bears contribute to seed dispersal?

• By planting seeds in their habitat

• By eating berries and excreting the seeds elsewhere

• By carrying seeds on their fur

• By burying seeds in the ground

What happens to seeds that pass through a bear's digestive system?

• They are destroyed

• They are digested and used for energy

• They remain in the bear's stomach

• They are deposited in a new location where they can grow

How do burdock seeds travel long distances?

• By being carried by the wind

• By being buried by animals

• By sticking to animals' bodies

• By floating on water

What might happen if a squirrel forgets where it buried an acorn?

• The acorn will decompose

• The acorn will be eaten by other animals

• The acorn will germinate and grow into a new plant

• The acorn will be lost forever