# CAREER: Synthesizing Experiments and Education in Dispersal Science (SEEDS) to understand how seed arrival maintains biodiversity

> **NSF 01002930DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Michigan State University (MI) · $1,190,825

## Abstract

Plant species are increasingly threatened with local extinction because of habitat destruction, changes in weather patterns, and competition with introduced species. Maintaining diversity of plant species in a local area (i.e., community) requires the arrival and establishment of seeds. Seed dispersal is critical because many plant populations cannot persist if seeds do not arrive. However, seeds are small and difficult to follow and, consequently, little is known about their dispersal and establishment, and how seed traits affect it. This research will establish a grassland experiment manipulating availability of seed habitat, and the rate (i.e. the number of seeds per unit time) and pattern (i.e. even, or clumped, pattern onto a plot) of seed arrival to determine which aspects of seed dispersal increase biodiversity. A partnership of 25-30 grassland scientists from around the world will experimentally collect seeds that fall in their grasslands to scale up these findings. Comparisons of seed arrival among experimental treatments in relation to temperature, precipitation and plant composition will assess how environmental parameters alter the rate and pattern of seed arrival in grasslands around the globe. This project will contribute to STEM workforce development by training Michigan State University’s (MSU) introductory ecology students in the classroom how to conduct research. Undergraduate students will measure characteristics of each seed (e.g. size, number of hairs, et

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2441141
- **Awardee organization:** Michigan State University (MI)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** R28EKN92ZTZ9
- **PI:** Lauren L Sullivan
- **Primary program:** 01002930DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, RET SUPP-Res Exp for Tchr Supp, REU SUPP-Res Exp for Ugrd Supp
- **Estimated total:** $1,190,825
- **Funds obligated:** $952,091
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2030

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2441141

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2441141, CAREER: Synthesizing Experiments and Education in Dispersal Science (SEEDS) to understand how seed arrival maintains biodiversity. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2441141. Licensed CC0.

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