Final answer:
Seed dispersal by ants, or myrmecochory, is a mutualistic process where ants transport seeds to nutrient-rich environments, aiding in plant recovery in disturbed ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Seed dispersal by ants, also known as myrmecochory, is a form of mutualism in which ants transport seeds to their nest, where the seeds have a chance to germinate and grow in a nutrient-rich environment. This type of dispersal is especially significant for plant recovery in disturbed or degraded ecosystems. The seeds possess certain adaptations such as elaiosomes, which are fleshy structures rich in lipids that attract ants. These adaptations increase the probability of the seed being buried in a location conducive to successful germination and growth, away from the parent plant where they might otherwise succumb to density-dependent mortalities such as predation or disease.