AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Seed dispersal prevents competition between the plant and its own seedlings for sunlight, water and minerals. It also enables the plants to invade new habitats for wider distribution.

Detailed explanation-2: -Seeds that are spread far from the parent plant avoid competition with their relatives for resources and have the opportunity to colonize new areas. Both fruits and seeds have a variety of adaptations for different types of dispersal.

Detailed explanation-3: -Conclusion: Dispersal of seeds is important for the survival of species in new places and also helps to avoid overcrowding and competition for food and resources.

Detailed explanation-4: -If seeds are not dispersed, all the seeds would fall near the parent tree. This will prevent those seeds from getting enough sunlight, air and water. As a result, most of the seeds would fail to germinate.

Detailed explanation-5: -Disadvantages of limited dispersal are inability to escape deteriorating habitat conditions, inability to colonize new habitats, and inbreeding among offspring. Heterocarpic species offset these disadvantages by producing dispersed plus undispersed diaspores.