Drift disseminules on Fijian beaches

Abstract

Drift disseminule assemblages were studied on nine beaches on and near Viti Levu, Fiji. Seventy-three species were recorded, largely belonging to beach forest and mangrove communities, but including several species from freshwater habitats and several species introduced to Fiji. Seeds of many species had germinated. Most taxa represented have been shown else where to have disseminules capable of floating over long periods and distances. Some disseminules from Fiji and nearby islands may be carried to eastern Australia and New Zealand.

Keywords:

• Fiji
• drift disseminules
• seed dispersal
• sea currents