Final answer:
Secondary seed dispersal is the subsequent movement of seeds after an initial dispersal event, involving agents like animals, water, or mechanical processes. Vertebrates play a significant role in dispersing seeds, especially in tropical areas where birds help in the dominance of flowering plants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Secondary seed dispersal refers to the process by which seeds, initially moved from their source by a primary dispersal event, are further dispersed by another, often unrelated, agent or mechanism. Vertebrates, especially in tropical regions, are crucial dispersers for the seeds of flowering plants, with birds being particularly instrumental. These interactions are vital for plant reproduction and the widespread distribution of plant species. Secondary disperser agents can include various animals, water, or even mechanical processes not directly related to the initial dispersal event. In the case of invasive species, these agents can facilitate rapid and long-distance dispersal, enhancing their spread across ecosystems. Seed dispersal on a whole serves three major benefits for plants: it reduces competition among seedlings, assists in colonizing new areas, and helps escape predators. Secondary dispersers contribute to these benefits by moving seeds to even more diverse locations after the initial dispersal.