Due to increased human mobility, cloth-dispersed propagules can be transported over long distances, which would not have been bridged otherwise. We studied a potentially important component of human-mediated seed dispersal by assessing the effects of laundry washing on the dispersed propagules. We studied the germination of 18 species, which have morphological adaptations for epizoochory and are commonly dispersed by people. We tested six treatments (washing with water, soap nut or detergent, at 30 °C or 60 °C) compared to an untreated control. Washing intensity was the most significant factor affecting germination. Washing at 30 °C was neutral for 14 species, suppressed one species and supported three species. Washing at 60 °C decreased seedling numbers of half of the studied species. The intensive washing treatments at 60 °C significantly decreased the synchrony of germination. We showed that people are not purely transporting propagules from one location to another, but via the laundry cycle, we can also influence the fate of the transported propagules by affecting germination potential, seedling fitness and germination dynamics. These results have new implications for understanding the early stages of biological invasions and call for improved biosecurity measures in nature reserves subjected to a growing pressure of tourism.

中文翻译：

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洗衣洗涤可提高布分散繁殖物的分散效率

由于人类活动能力的增强，布散布的繁殖体可以长距离运输，否则就无法桥接。我们通过评估衣物洗涤对分散繁殖体的影响，研究了人类介导的种子传播的潜在重要组成部分。我们研究了18种物种的萌发，这些物种具有针对附睾的形态适应性并且通常被人分散。与未经处理的对照相比，我们测试了六种处理方法（在30°C或60°C的温度下用水，肥皂或清洁剂洗涤）。洗涤强度是影响发芽的最重要因素。在30°C下洗涤时，有14种是中性的，抑制了1种，并支持了3种。在60°C下洗涤可减少一半的被研究物种的幼苗数量。60°C的强化洗涤处理显着降低了发芽同步性。我们表明，人们并不仅仅是将繁殖体从一个位置转移到另一个位置，而是通过洗衣周期，我们还可以通过影响发芽势，幼苗适应性和萌发动态来影响所繁殖的繁殖体的命运。这些结果对理解生物入侵的早期阶段具有新的意义，并要求在自然保护区中改善生物安全措施，以应对旅游业日益增长的压力。