Researchers at Griffiths University Queensland have recently reported an investigation into the potential for touriststo be unintentional seed dispersal agents.
The authors collected seed of 754 species of plants from clothing, from cars and from horses and donkeys. Seeds of 228 species were collected from personal clothing and equipment; cars provided seeds of 505 species, and horse dung, 216 species. 429 species were herbs and 237 were grasses. The most frequent species represented were Annual Poa, White Clover, Kentucky Blue Grass and Yorkshire Fog. This research highlights the problems that land managers face in reducing weed invasion of our natural areas.