3.5 Drivers of seed dispersal distances:
Mean and maximum dispersal distance increased significantly with species body mass (mean dispersal estimate ± std. error = 0.67 ± 0.21, p = 0.00245; maximum dispersal estimate ± std. error = 0.78 ± 0.28, p = 0.0071; Fig. 5a and 5b). Volant species (bats, flying foxes and flying birds) had significantly higher mean seed dispersal distances than nonvolant species (mean dispersal estimate ± std. error = 0.95 ± 0.45, p = 0.0384; Fig. 5a). Volant species also had marginally significant higher maximum seed dispersal distances than nonvolant species (maximum dispersal estimate ± std. error = 1.02 ± 0.6, p = 0.094; Fig. 5b). Maximum dispersal distances also increased significantly with an interaction between body mass and volant species (maximum dispersal estimate ± std. error = 2322.85 ± 726.28, p = 0.002; Fig. 5b). The studies that were undertaken in protected areas also showed a significantly higher mean seed dispersal distance than those that were not in protected areas (mean dispersal estimate ± std. error = 1.29 ± 0.43, p = 0.0037; Fig. 5a).