Numerical Analysis of Enhalus acroides Fructification Dispersal in the Northwestern Sea Area of Iriomote Island, Japan

A numerical analysis of Enhalus acroides (sea grass) fruit dispersal around Iriomote Island, Japan, reveals that floating fruits can travel significantly farther than seeds—averaging 879 to 2,494 meters and up to 15,403 meters, with floatation durations ranging from 30 seconds to 26 days. This suggests fruit dispersal plays a critical role in expanding the species' distribution, unlike seed dispersal, which typically covers much shorter distances (average 261 meters). The study also indicates rare but possible long-distance fruit exchange between distant populations and potential recovery of vanished sea grass colonies. Researchers used observation and experimental data to model dispersal dynamics in the northwestern coastal waters of Iriomote Island.

MURAKAMI, T., KOHNO, H., TAMAMOTO, M., MIZUTANI, A., & SHIMOKAWA, S. (2015). NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF Enhalus acroides FRUCTIFICATION DISPERSAL IN THE NORTHWESTERN SEA AREA OF IRIOMOTE ISLAND, JAPAN. Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Ser. B2 (Coastal Engineering), 71(2), I. https://doi.org/10.2208/kaigan.71.i_1351