Decluttering Seed Dispersal Modes: Bringing Clarity to Seed Dispersal Ecology

Seed dispersal research has expanded significantly over time, leading to a proliferation of terms relating to dispersal modes that has resulted in terminological confusion. This viewpoint identifies the primary concerns in this regard: synonymy (multiple terms used for the same mode) and polysemy (the same term used for distinctly different modes). Such inconsistencies hinder conceptual clarity, impede literature syntheses, and obstruct the practical application of seed dispersal ecology. To address these challenges, we propose two complementary pathways. First, we suggest organizing a world cafe to foster consensus-building among researchers engaging with seed dispersal ecology. Second, we introduce the Diaspore-Vector-Review (DVR) framework as a decision-support tool to prioritize nomenclature for non-overlapping dispersal mechanisms rather than agent-centric definitions of dispersal modes. By refining the branching of subclasses from classical modes into a coherent, hierarchical classification system, we can ensure greater scientific rigor and real-world impact of seed dispersal research.