seedtrap

Seedtrap, or seed trap, is a general term for devices and methods used to collect seeds released by plants for study. It denotes a category of passive sampling tools rather than a single standardized device. In ecological research, seed traps are deployed beneath or around plants to capture falling seeds or dispersed seeds over a defined period. In agricultural and horticultural settings, similar traps may be used to quantify seed loss during harvesting or to evaluate seed production in breeding trials.

Common designs include sticky cards or sheets placed on frames to collect seeds by adhesion; small funnels or cone-shaped collectors leading to collection vessels; mesh baskets or cloth bags positioned at soil level; and transects with multiple trap units to sample spatial variation. Traps are often mounted on stakes or suspended above the ground, and sampling durations range from several days to several months, depending on the phenology of the target species.

Collected seeds are counted, identified to species when possible, and sometimes tested for viability to estimate seed rain density, per-plant seed production, and dispersal patterns. Data from seed traps can be used to model dispersal kernels, seed banks, or the effects of environmental factors such as wind, canopy cover, and disturbance on seed deposition.

Considerations include careful placement to minimize bias, potential biases toward certain seed sizes or dispersal modes, maintenance to prevent predation or loss, and permissions when sampling in protected areas. See also terms like seed rain, seed dispersal, and seed bank.