Wind as a medium for Dispersal

Many microorganisms, fungal spores and bacteria are freely transported over long distances even by moderate winds. In wind pollinated plants, the amount of pollen grains is relatively large because a large fraction of it may be wasted. Pollen grains in some genera like Pinus are specially adapted to float in air due to the presence of air bladders. Many plants produce extremely small seeds, others develop winglike structures or fine silky hairs that help them to float in air (Figure shown below). Wind is a universal agent for the dispersal of fruits and seeds which helps in better establishment of seedlings resulting in greater success of survival and healthy growth by avoiding competition.

Dispersal of pollutants

Wind determines the extent of initial dilution of pollutants, emissidn, direction and rate of dispersal. The more widely and rapidly they are dispersed, lesse~w ill be their impact on the environment. If the wind speed is high, pollutant concentrations are likely to be relatively low, while low wind or absence of wind builds up high concentration of pollutants.

Figure: Fruits (a) and seeds (b) d plants adapt for distance transportation by wind.