温带半干旱地区一年生植物种子的萌发特性

在实验室条件下研究了中国温带半干旱地区科尔沁沙地的23种1年生植物的种子萌发特性（新采集种子、冷藏和干藏种子）.大籽蒿、虎尾草、冠芒草、沙蓬和地锦的新种子萌发率达90%左右,11种植物新种子萌发率均低于70%,说明这些植物的新种子具有或多或少的休眠属性.经过150d的冷干藏后,大籽蒿、虎尾草萌发率保持在90%以上,说明这两种植物完全没有休眠机制;冠芒草、沙蓬和地锦的种子萌发率下降较多,可能是储藏的环境条件导致的2次休眠现象;冷藏和干藏处理均能使绿珠藜、毛马唐、细叶益母草、雾冰藜、金狗尾草、苋菜、马齿苋、碱地肤和水稗草的种子在生长季开始时完成生理后熟,萌发率达到80%以上;干藏有利于促进毛马唐、细叶益母草、马齿苋和鹤虱的种子成熟,冷藏有利于促进绿珠藜和金狗尾草的种子成熟;黄蒿、灰绿藜、画眉草和烛台虫实在不同处理下的萌发率都比较低,说明种子内在生理休眠作用较强,具有减少种子一次性萌发数量的风险分摊策略.大多数1年生植物均能在较短时间内达到最终萌发率的90%,表现出迅速萌发的特性;黄蒿、灰绿藜、碱地肤和沙蓬种子则在不同处理中表现出延长萌发时间的策略来适应半干旱地区不确定的环境条件.最后,探讨了几种主要1年生植物的种子萌发对策与其对环境适应机制之间的关系.     

科尔沁沙地15种禾本科植物种子萌发特性比较

在实验室条件下,观测了科尔沁沙地乌兰敖都地区禾本科植物当年新采种子的萌发特点．15种植物中,披碱草、糙隐子草、冠芒草、大油芒、芦苇、虎尾草、野古草、狼尾草的发芽率超过80％,水稗草、牛鞭草、虱子草、狗尾草的发芽率不足10％．1～3d开始发芽的植物有大油芒、画眉、芦苇、虎尾草、披碱草、冠芒草、毛马唐、糙隐子草．超过10d基本不发芽的植物包括狗尾草、虱子草、牛鞭草．发芽持续期小于10d的植物包括毛马唐、水稗草、芦苇、画眉草、大油芒;发芽持续期21～30d的植物有披碱草、冠芒草．发芽种子超过总发芽种子的50％需要天数为虎尾草2d,芦苇3d,大油芒4d,披碱草5d,糙隐子草5d,野古草7d,冠芒草7d,狼尾草10d．与英国Sheffield地区相比,乌兰敖都地区一年生禾草发芽率低的所占比重更大,发芽更为缓慢;乌兰敖都地区多年生禾草的发芽率差别很小,但发芽更为缓慢．杂草植物萌发的风险分摊能力相对明显,因此抗干扰能力相对较强．     

四种藜科植物不同器官主要营养元素化学计量特征比较

土壤营养匮乏是盐碱地植物生物量的主要限制因子之一，藜科植物是盐碱地的优势类群。为了明晰盐环境中不同藜科植物主要营养元素计量特征及其与矿质土壤环境间的关系差异，本研究以呼伦贝尔4种典型藜科植物——碱蓬(Suaeda glauca)、尖头叶藜(Chenopodium acuminatum)、刺沙蓬(Salsola tragus)、雾冰藜(Bassia dasyphylla)为对象，比较4种藜科植物生境土壤因子和不同器官7种元素计量特征。结果显示：(1)碱蓬种群土壤Na含量和土壤电导率显著高于其他3种藜科植物种群，刺沙蓬种群土壤N含量最低，雾冰藜种群土壤P含量最低。(2)叶片C/N依次为碱蓬种群>刺沙蓬种群>尖头叶藜种群>雾冰藜种群，尖头叶藜种群根C/P显著高于其他3种植物。雾冰藜种群、碱蓬种群和刺沙蓬种群叶N/P>16,除尖头叶藜种群外，3种植物种群根N/P<14。(3)雾冰藜种群具有显著高的叶、茎和根K含量，刺沙蓬种群具有显著高的叶、根Ca含量，碱蓬种群具有显著高的叶、茎和根Na含量，雾冰藜种群具有显著高的叶、根Mg含量。(4)刺沙蓬种群各器官具有显著高的N...     

虎尾草亚科系统发育关系的初步研究

运用广义形态学性状对虎尾草亚科（Chloridoideae）进行系统发育分析。内类群包括虎尾草亚科52属的69种植物,代表虎尾草亚科的主要类群;芦竹亚科（Arundinoideae）扁芒草族（Danthonieae）的Centropodia和Danthonia被选作外类群。分支分析表明,虎尾草亚科是一个单系类群。其严格一致树包括A、B、C、D、E5个分支。两个大族画眉草族（Eragrostideae）和虎尾草族（Chlorideae）代表虎尾草亚科内部类群分化的两个方向,分开处理较合理。细穗草族（Leptureae）放到虎尾草族中较合理。冠芒草族（Pappophoreae）是虎尾草亚科的基部类群,与画眉草族近缘。我们的研究支持虎尾草亚科从旧世界向新世界扩散的地理分布假说,并提供了虎尾草亚科属上类群的系统发育关系的框架。     

钠盐胁迫对河西走廊荒漠绿洲过渡带典型一年生草本植物种子萌发的影响

研究不同浓度盐分(NaCl和NaHCO₃,0、40、80、120、160和200 mmol·L^-1)对6种河西走廊荒漠绿洲边缘人工林典型一年生草本植物(禾本科:狗尾草、虎尾草和小画眉草;藜科:雾冰藜、刺沙蓬和蒙古虫实)种子在当年秋季和次年春季的萌发和复萌的影响。结果表明: NaCl和NaHCO₃对6种植物种子的萌发有显著影响,NaHCO₃对种子萌发的抑制作用大于NaCl。NaHCO₃浓度达到160 mmol·L^-1时,6种植物基本不萌发或萌发率较低;NaCl浓度达到200 mmol·L^-1时,6种植物仍能够保持相对较高的萌发率。种子当年秋季萌发率(2.8%～20.0%)远低于次年春季萌发率(21.7%～81.6%),秋季复萌率(3.3%～20.0%)低于春季复萌率(5.0%～41.1%),当年生种子秋季多保持休眠,次年春季休眠减弱。6种一年生草本植物种子的耐盐性为:虎尾草＞狗尾草＞刺沙蓬＞雾冰藜＞蒙古虫实＞小画眉草。     

天然固定沙地不同微生境下土壤种子库差异

研究了腾格里沙漠东南缘天然固定沙地不同微生境下土壤种子库的种类组成和种子密度。结果表明:(1)灌丛下土壤种子库的物种丰富度大于灌丛边缘和灌丛间裸地。(2)不同微生境中土壤种子密度因物种而异。就距灌丛中心的距离来说,雾冰藜、刺蓬、地锦、虎尾草、虱子草和冷蒿灌丛下土壤中种子多于裸地,无芒隐子草和狗尾草种子裸地多于灌丛下,小画眉草在距灌丛各距离间土壤种子密度差异不显著。(3)就灌丛的不同方向来说,雾冰藜和刺蓬土壤中种子在东南方向最多,地锦和无芒隐子草土壤中种子密度在西南和西北均大于东南,狗尾草的土壤种子密度东北大于西北,虱子草的土壤种子密度在西南方向最大,冷蒿的土壤种子密度在西南方向最小,小画眉草和虎尾草在各方向间种子密度差异不显著。(4)不同微生境中物种的结籽量对土壤种子分布格局的影响力十分有限。种子离开母株后所经历的传播、消耗等过程在很大程度上打乱了植物结籽量的空间样式。     

钠盐胁迫对藜科一年生草本植物生长和生物量分配的影响

选取河西走廊荒漠绿洲过渡带典型藜科一年生草本植物雾冰藜、刺沙蓬和白茎盐生草为研究对象,分析不同浓度盐分（NaCl和NaHCO₃,0、50、100、150、200 mmol/L）对3种藜科植物生长、繁殖和生物量分配的影响。研究结果表明：（1）钠盐胁迫下,3种藜科植物的存活率随盐浓度的增加呈下降趋势,雾冰藜和刺沙蓬在200 mmol/L NaCl和200 mmol/L NaHCO₃胁迫下无法存活或存活率极低,白茎盐生草在200 mmol/L NaHCO₃胁迫下无法存活;（2）钠盐胁迫显著抑制了刺沙蓬的生长和生物量积累,而一定浓度的盐分（50、100 mmol/L）可以促进雾冰藜和白茎盐生草的生长,较高浓度的盐分则抑制其生长;（3）3种植物的根冠比在钠盐胁迫下呈下降趋势,地上部生物量分配随盐浓度增加呈上升趋势,其中低盐胁迫下（50、100 mmol/L）繁殖分配比例增加明显,中高度盐胁迫下（150、200 mmol/L）茎、叶生物量分配比例增加显著,但根系生物量分配随盐分浓度增加而下降,这说明盐分胁迫下增加生物量在地上部的分配是藜科一年生草本植物应对盐胁迫的方式之一;（4） NaHCO₃的胁迫作用大于NaCl,3种植物中,白茎盐生草的耐盐性最强,而雾冰藜和刺沙蓬的耐盐能力较差。     

沙埋对六种沙生植物种子萌发和幼苗出土的影响

研究了沙埋对科尔沁沙地6种优势植物的种子萌发和幼苗出土的影响．进行0．2、4、6、8、10和12cm等7个深度沙埋处理．结果表明,在不同沙埋处理时,沙蓬萌发差异显著。而差不嘎蒿2锄埋深与其他埋深的发芽差异显著,其他4种植物0cm埋深与其他埋深的发芽差异显著;沙埋对所有植物幼苗出土均有显著影响,埋深增加,出苗率减小;繁殖体大的物种与繁殖体小的物种相比,能从更深沙层中出苗,幼苗出土最大深度排序为苦参>东北木蓼≥沙蓬>山竹子>雾冰藜>差不嘎蒿．     

科尔沁沙地69种植物种子重量比较研究

 研究了科尔沁沙地69种植物的繁殖体（30种为种子,39种为果实）重量。结果表明：1）传播体为果实的植物可分为4个组别（即果实单粒重<0.1 mg、0.1～0.999 9 mg、1～9.999 9 mg、10～99.999 9 mg）;黄蒿（Artemisia scoparia）果实(0.051 7 mg)和小香蒲（Typha minima）果实(0.068 2 mg)最轻,苍耳（Xanthium sibiricum）单个果实（77.894 3 mg）最重;2）传播体为种子的植物可分为3个组别（即种子单粒重0.1～0.999 9 mg、1～9.999 9 mg、10～99.999 9 mg）;马齿苋（Portulaca oleracea）种子（0.151 4 mg）最轻,苦参（Sophora flavescens）种子(46.781 6 mg)最重;3）黄蒿、马齿苋、轮叶沙参（Adenophora tetraphylla）、碱地肤（Kochia sieversiana）、狼尾花（Lysimachia barystachys）、灰绿藜（Chenopodium glaucum）、刺沙蓬（Salsola ruthenica）、菟丝子（Cuscuta chinensis）、大籽蒿（Artemisia sieversiana）、狗尾草（Setaria viridis）、野古草（Arundinella hirta）等植物所以广泛分布可能是因为它们繁殖体轻（<1 mg）且具有持久土壤种子库;4）流沙上的先锋植物或沙生演替系列前期植物沙蓬（Agriphyllum squarrosum）、差巴嘎蒿（Artemisia halodendron）、乌丹蒿（Artemisia wudanica）、狗尾草、雾冰藜（Bassia dasyphylla）的繁殖体要么重量居中或偏大,要么有降低位移的其它机制。     

七种蒿属植物种子重量形状及萌发特性的比较研究

在实验室条件下 ,对 7种蒿属植物种子 (差巴嘎蒿、乌丹蒿、万年蒿、大籽蒿、黄蒿、野艾蒿和冷蒿 )进行重量、形状及萌发特性的比较研究。沙生先锋植物乌丹蒿和差巴嘎蒿的种子重量较大、形状扁平 ,这些特征是植物对流沙环境进化的适应机制之一。黄蒿种子小且呈圆形 ,具有持久土壤种子库 ,因此黄蒿抗干扰能力较强。 7种蒿属植物有 3种萌发格局 :大籽蒿、万年蒿、差巴嘎蒿和冷蒿的萌发前期快 ,后期平缓 ;野艾蒿和黄蒿整个萌发过程平缓 ;乌丹蒿早期和后期萌发平缓 ,中间快。乌丹蒿推迟萌发高峰是它比差巴嘎蒿更适应流沙环境的机制之一。从种子萌发格局分析 ,黄蒿种子具有生理后熟或休眠机制 ,大籽蒿种子萌发是典型的机会主义。黄蒿、野艾蒿和冷蒿种子具有风险分摊的萌发机制。种子重量和形状与发芽率之间无相关性 ,重量和形状则显著相关。     

Influence of smoke,heat and fire on germination of woody species occurring in the dry valleys of southwest China

Aims Savannahs depend on fire for their persistence. Fire influences regeneration from seeds in several ways: it converts the environment into a more open space which can benefit the establishment of seedlings, and fire itself can also enhance germination by chemical and physical cues, such as smoke and heat. There is limited information as to how seed of Asian savannah species respond to fire, even though Asia has several dry vegetation types that are associated with fire. Our main question was whether fire enhances or triggers the germination of woody species occurring in southwest Chinese dry valleys, which have savannah vegetation.     

实验室条件下两种生物土壤结皮对荒漠植物种子萌发的影响

生物土壤结皮广泛分布在干旱、半干旱区,深刻影响着土壤表层特性,进而对植物种子散布、萌发和定居产生极大的影响。到目前为止,生物土壤结皮与植物关系的研究很少见到,并且这些有限的研究所得出的结论存在着争议。研究了不同年龄的两种生物土壤结皮（苔藓结皮和藻类结皮）对油蒿（Artemisia ordosica）和雾冰藜（Bassia dasyphylla）种子萌发的影响,同时也研究了这两种结皮在失去活性前后对油蒿、雾冰藜和小画眉草（Eragrostis poaeoides）种子萌发的影响。苔藓和藻类结皮的出现对油蒿和雾冰藜种子的萌发均有显著的促进作用,而结皮年龄对植物种子的萌发没有显著的差异。对于不同的植物种,结皮类型和活性对种子的萌发具有不同的作用。雾冰藜在两种结皮上的萌发有显著的差异而油蒿和小画眉草在两种结皮上的萌发没有显著差异。活藻类显著地增加了三种植物的种子萌发,活苔藓仅增加了油蒿和雾冰藜种子萌发量而对小画眉草种子的萌发没有作用,研究表明,生物土壤结皮对一些植物种子萌发具有明显的促进作用。     

Stimulation of seed germination in South African species of Restionaceae by plant-derived smoke

The Restionaceae is one of the three major families defining fynbos, the characteristic vegetation type of the Cape Floristic Region. Periodic fires with a frequency of 5 to 40 years are a natural phenomenon in fynbos vegetation. Fire-stimulated seed germination has been reported for a variety of fynbos species, and species in the Asteraceae, Ericaceae, Proteaceae and Restionaceae have shown a germination response to smoke and/or aqueous smoke extracts. In the present study seed of 32 species was screened to obtain an indication of how important the smoke cue is for germination in the South African Restionaceae. The results of the present study represents the first occasion that comparative germination data for South African species in this family have ever been obtained. Twenty-five of the 32 species tested showed a statistically significant improvement in germination following smoke treatment. Untreated seeds of 18 of the species responding, showed a high degree of dormancy with only 0.1% to 2.0% germination. These results suggest that under natural conditions smoke from fynbos fires may provide an important cue for triggering seed germination in this family. The degree of improvement in germination following smoke treatment ranged from 147% in the case of Restio festuciformis to 25300% in the case of Rhodocoma capensis. It is suggested that the 16 species which showed a 1000% or more increase in germination following smoke treatment form a group in which smoke is likely to be the major cue for germination. In those species in which there is a lesser response, smoke may be one of a number of germination cues which include heat, and possibly alternating high and low incubation temperatures. The four species that did not germinate were all myrmecochorus, nut-fruited species. More information is needed concerning the fire survival strategy of South African Restionaceae species and many more will have to be investigated in the nursery and in the field, before the full pattern of response within the family and its significance can be elucidated.     

Does Germination Success Differ with Respect to Seed Mass and Germination Season? Experimental Testing of Plant Functional Trait Responses to Grassland Management

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Plant functional trait responses to processes such as grassland management have been analysed frequently; however, the scaling-up from individual traits to the outcomes of vegetation dynamics has seldom been tested. In this experiment, germination success was studied with respect to the relationships between grassland management (mowing and grazing), as well as abandonment, and two traits that are relevant for seedling recruitment: seed mass and germination season. On the basis of discussions in the literature and indirect trait analyses in our previous studies, the following hypotheses are proposed: (1) with respect to seed mass, mowing and grazing favour the germination of small seeds, whereas after abandonment the germination success of larger seeds is higher; and (2) with respect to germination season, mowing and grazing favour autumn-germinating seeds, whereas succession promotes spring-germinating seeds. METHODS: The germination experiment took place in a semi-natural, dry grassland in north-east Germany. Seeds of eight herbaceous species that differ with respect to seed mass and germination season were sown in mown, grazed and abandoned plots. Germination success was documented during the following year. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the hypothesis, germination of small seeds was not promoted by mowing or grazing and they germinated relatively more often than expected in the abandoned plots. A relationship between abandonment and gaps of bare soil below the vegetation cover that favour germination of small seeds was likely, but could not be proved statistically. It is possible that the small seeds suffered less from predation. Mowing favoured autumn germination, which could be explained by the removal of biomass in late summer. Contrary to our expectation, there was relatively more spring germination after grazing than after mowing, yet vegetation height was smallest in spring. Generally, germination season was found to be related to the temporal occurrence of favourable light conditions.     

沉水植物菹草的人工种子技术

为满足水生态系统重建及水体景观对沉水植物种苗的需求,本文建立了菹草（Potamogeton crispus L.）人工种子的制作方法,并分析了菹草人工种子的萌发条件。结果表明,以海藻酸钠为包埋剂,在包埋剂中添加IBA 1.0 mg/L + 6-BA 0.5 mg/L,制备的菹草人工种子在灭菌自来水中萌发率可达80％,且转株率达20％。在15－25℃之间,温度对菹草人工种子萌发和转株的影响不显著;氮磷水平对菹草人工种子萌发和转株的影响不显著;光强对菹草人工种子的萌发和转株有显著影响,较高的光强有较高的萌发率和转株率,光强为40μmol/ m2. s时,菹草人工种子萌发率、转株率可达67.8％、35.6％;底质对菹草人工种子的萌发和转株有显著影响,菹草人工种子在黄沙壤上的萌发率、转株率分别为60%和42.2%,黄沙壤比淤泥和砂石更适合菹草人工种子萌发和转株;菹草人工种子在野外湖水的试验中萌发率、转株率分别达到28%、15%。     

Differential responses of germination and seedling establishment in populations of Tragopogon pratensis (Asteraceae)

The establishment phase is an important bottleneck in the life cycle of plants. It consists of two steps that are rarely separated, i.e., the germination of seeds and the establishment of seedlings. Here we report the results of two experiments in which we independently investigated germination and seedling establishment in the greenhouse, under different grass vegetation treatments representing different regeneration niches. Seeds of Tragopogon pratensis from six populations and two habitat types were studied, three from roadside verges and three from hayfields. Germination percentages and germination speed were higher for seeds from roadside verges than for seeds from hayfields, but were little affected by treatment. In contrast, seedling growth was much lower in the tall grass vegetation, than in the short grass and especially the bare soil treatment. Seedling sizes were generally similar for different populations and habitat types. Our results thus show that the two early steps in the establishment phase of plants may respond very differently to the micro-environment, and may have a different selection history. Insight into the ecology and evolution of life histories may require that germination and establishment are considered separately.     

Strict requirement of fluctuating temperatures as a reliable gap signal in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picris hieracioides</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">japonica</Emphasis> seed germination

Picris hieracioides var. japonica (Asteraceae), which grows in occasionally disturbed habitats such as riverbanks, is rarely observed under dense vegetation. We examined the effect of the experience and timing of receiving leaf-transmitted light in gap-detecting seed germination in this plant. Seeds under unfiltered light, which simulated the light conditions of seeds on the soil surface in a canopy gap, germinated at a constant temperature of 20°C. However, most seeds in darkness, which simulated the light conditions of seeds buried in the soil without receiving leaf-transmitted light, germinated under temperature fluctuations of over 4°C. Seeds in darkness after receiving leaf-transmitted light for 1 week, which simulated the light conditions of seeds buried in the soil after receiving leaf-transmitted light, germinated under temperature fluctuations of over 8°C. Finally, seeds under continuous leaf-transmitted light, which simulated the light conditions of seeds on the soil surface below preexisting vegetation, germinated under temperature fluctuations of over 12°C. Seeds that experience unfiltered light, which suggests that they are in a gap, should not delay germination. In contrast, seeds that have received leaf-transmitted light should delay germination until the vegetation above is removed. Seeds exposed to leaf-transmitted light required larger temperature fluctuations in darkness than did untreated seeds, and seeds under continuous leaf-transmitted light required the largest temperature fluctuations. The various germination reactions to each gap signal in P. hieracioides var. japonica seeds allow the more reliable detection of gaps for subsequent seedling establishment. The requirement for gap signals that created high precision of timing in the germination process results in the germination of this species only in gaps. Therefore, P. hieracioides var. japonica is rarely found under dense vegetation.     

Can atmospheric input of nitrogen affect seed bank dynamics in habitats of conservation interest? The case of dune slacks

Questions: Does the increased atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, which can have major effects on the established vegetation of nutrient‐poor habitats, also impact germination from the soil seed bank? Location: Coastal dune slacks at Newborough Warren, Wales, UK. Methods: The effects of nitrogen addition (15 kg.ha^‐1.a^‐1) on seed germination from the soil seed bank were investigated using the seedling emergence method between September 2004 and February 2005. Results: More seedlings emerged from fertilised samples than unfertilised controls. Most species showed enhanced germination after fertilisation with nitrogen, with seedling numbers statistically significantly greater in nitrogen addition samples in a quarter of species abundant enough for analysis. Species that responded positively to fertilisation were species with low Ellenberg indicator values indicative of infertile sites. Conclusions: Most species showed increased germination after fertilisation with nitrogen, including early successional species normally growing in nutrient‐poor conditions. This suggests that the increased atmospheric deposition of nitrogen probably not only impacts on established vegetation, but also has the potential to alter seed bank dynamics.     

干藏和淹水对三峡库区21种草本植物种子萌发的影响

研究了三峡库区河岸带21种常见草本植物种子在干藏以及不同淹水深度（0.5、1.0和2.0m）处理下的萌发特性。结果表明：以新采集种子的萌发率作为对照,干藏后8个物种的萌发率增加（占总数的38.1%）,1种萌发率不变（4.8%）,12种萌发率降低（57.1%）。与对照相比,淹水后3个物种的萌发率增加（占总数的14.3%）,2个物种的萌发率不变（9.5%）,16个物种的萌发率下降（76.2%）。水淹处理后,占总数76.2%的物种的萌发率下降,其中11种显著下降;但淹水深度对种子的萌发没有显著影响。干藏后的繁穗苋（Amaranthus paniculatus）、皱果苋（Amaranthus viridis）和红刺果苋（Amaranthus sp.）以及水淹后的鳢肠（Eclipta prostrata）萌发率〉50%,而且能够利用库区退水期完成生活史形成种子,表明这些植物可作为三峡库区消落带植被恢复时优先考虑的物种源。     

Germination ecology of six shrubs in fire-prone Cape fynbos

To explain the recruitment and coexistence of species which establish after fire, this study predicted that each species would have different germination cues as a component of different regeneration niches. Furthermore, for species subject to natural fire frequencies of 10–20 years, fire-related cues, seed dormancy, extended longevity and fire-related germination cues might be predicted. However, results indicated broadly similar germination requirements. Seeds subjected to two heat treatments and a charcoal extract failed to show significantly enhanced germination. Instead, highest germination successes were achieved under alternating diurnal temperatures which implied an indirect fire cue, viz. the removal of insulating vegetation. Leachate solution inhibited germination in two species suggesting allelopathic effects during inter-fire periods. Only two species showed dormancy and three species did not have extended longevity but showed declining germinability after three years. Finally, in order to determine the potential germination from a soil-stored seed bank, data analysis simulated a seed bank comprising three years' accumulation of seeds. In each species the proportion of germinable seeds varied each year over the three years. Also, the germinability in response to ageing varied for each year's seed production. This would explain the variation in densities of the six species after different fire events, and hence offers a better explanation for species' coexistence.