Comparative effects of desiccation,heat shock and high temperatures on seed germination of savanna and forest tree species

Although forest and savanna biomes predominate in tropics regions, the factors that control their distribution remain unclear. South American savannas occur in regions that are considered warm and humid enough to support forests, indicating that agents other than climate determine the occurrence of one or the other physiognomy. Herbivory, fire and water deficit have been considered environmental filters that limit the forest species encroachment in savanna physiognomies, but the effects of these filters on the capability of these species to recruit from seeds remain poorly understood. In this study we investigated how stress factors characteristic of savanna environments, such as soil desiccation, heat shocks and high temperatures affect the survival and germination of seeds from savanna and forest tree species. We found that desiccation (to 5%) reduced the germination percentage of forest seeds, but had no effect on the germination of savanna seeds. Forest seeds were less tolerant to heat shocks of 140°C and 200°C, and showed lower germination percentage at temperatures of 35 and 40°C, when compared with savanna seeds. Savanna seeds presented longer germination times and higher germination variance than forest seeds, indicating a risk‐spreading germination strategy among savanna species. The low tolerance of forest seeds to desiccation, heat shock and high temperatures may explain the low recruitment of forest trees into savanna physiognomies. Climate change models predict lower soil moisture, higher temperatures and higher fires frequency for South America biomes. Our results suggest that savanna species are likely to be more capable of withstanding the effects of these changes than forest species.     

Potential of endozoochorous seed dispersal by sheep in calcareous grasslands: correlations with seed traits

Questions: What is the potential of sheep to serve as seed dispersers via ingestion and defecation in calcareous grasslands? Is the presence of viable seeds from dung correlated with specific seed traits? Location: Calcareous grasslands, South Limburg, the Netherlands/Belgium. Methods: Dung samples (n=24) from sheep were collected between September 2006 and November 2007 from five sites with Mesobromion plant communities, and communities of Nardo‐Galion saxatilis. Germinability and identity of seeds in the dung samples were ascertained from germination of seedlings under glasshouse conditions. Seed traits of species with viable seeds in dung were compared with those present in the local species pool. Results: Seventy‐two plant species from 23 plant families had viable seeds in sheep dung. The plant families encountered most frequently were Gramineae and Compositae. The most abundant and frequently recorded plant species in dung samples was Urtica dioica, accounting for >80% of the total number of seeds. Mean seed density in sheep dung was 0.8 seeds g^?1 dry matter. Seeds with low seed mass and a high seed longevity index were over‐represented in dung. Viable seeds >2.5 mg were infrequent in the dung samples. Conclusions: We conclude that sheep are potentially important dispersers of plant species in Dutch calcareous grasslands. Although smaller seeds were relatively abundant in sheep dung, it cannot be excluded that this was mainly caused by differences in seed abundance.     

Seed reserve composition in 19 tree species of a tropical deciduous forest in Mexico and its relationship to seed germination and seedling growth

Background and Aims

The size and composition of seed reserves may reflect the ecological strategy and evolutionary history of a species and also temporal variation in resource availability. The seed mass and composition of seed reserves of 19 co-existing tree species were studied, and we examined how they varied among species in relation to germination and seedling growth rates, as well as between two years with contrasting precipitation (652 and 384 mm).

Methods

Seeds were collected from a tropical deciduous forest in the northwest of Mexico (Chamela Biological Station). The seed dry mass, with and without the seed coat, and the concentrations of lipids, nitrogen and non-structural carbohydrates for the seed minus seed coat were determined. The anatomical localization of these reserves was examined using histochemical analysis. The germination capacity, rate and lag time were determined. The correlations among these variables, and their relationship to previously reported seedling relative growth rates, were evaluated with and without phylogenetic consideration.

Key Results

There were interannual differences in seed mass and reserve composition. Seed was significantly heavier after the drier year in five species. Nitrogen concentration was positively correlated with seed coat fraction, and was significantly higher after the drier year in 12 species. The rate and lag time of germination were negatively correlated with each other. These trait correlations were also supported for phylogenetic independent contrasts. Principal component analysis supported these correlations, and indicated a negative association of seedling relative growth rate with seed size, and a positive association of germination rate with nitrogen and lipid concentrations.

Conclusions

Nitrogen concentration tended to be higher after the drier year and, while interannual variations in seed size and reserve composition were not sufficient to affect interspecific correlations among seed and seedling traits, some of the reserves were related to germination variables and seedling relative growth rate.     

Ecological correlations between the persistence of the soil seed bank and several plant traits,including seed dormancy

It was empirically showed that seed size and life history correlate with the formation of a soil seed bank. Although no empirical data are available that indicate a close relationship between seed dormancy and the soil seed bank, dormancy has been considered essential to the formation of a soil seed bank. I have considered the formation of the soil seed bank and survival of seeds for more than a year in the soil, and the persistence and survival of the seed bank for more than 5 years. These periods were derived from the definition of a persistent seed bank and the criterion for seed banks of long-term persistence. Plant traits that are closely related to the formation or persistence of a seed bank and their relationships to dormancy were analysed using two pre-existing databases of seed longevity in soil and comparative ecology. The integrated database comprised 18 plant traits and seed bank formation or persistence data. This approach was used to identify more reliable general empirical rules. The results of a regression tree analysis and common statistical tests of plant traits indicated that only life history and seed size were closely related to seed bank formation, and dormancy was not essential for the formation and persistence of a seed bank. However, the contribution of dormancy differed slightly between dormancy types. Scarification or dry storage requirements to break dormancy slightly enhanced the formation and persistence of a seed bank, whereas a chilling requirement decreased the formation and persistence of a seed bank. In contrast, fluctuating temperature requirements clearly contributed to the formation and persistence of a seed bank.     

Effects of exogenous polyamines and difluoromethylornithine on seed germination and root growth of Arabidopsis thaliana

Effects of exogenous polyamines and difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) on seed germination and seedling root growth of Arabidopsis thaliana were investigated. Root growth was stimulated by low concentrations of putrescine but was increasingly inhibited by high concentrations of putrscine. DFMO inhibited root growth and this inhibition was reversed by applying putrescine. In contrast, both spermidine and spermine had no effect on root growth but inhibited seed germination. The results suggest a possible requirement of endogeneous putrescine for normal root growth of Arabidopsis seedlings.Abbreviations DFMO difluoromethylornithine - DFMA difluoromethylarginine - ODC ornithine decarboxylase - Put Putrescine - Spd Spermidine - Spm Spermine     

Light quality influences germination, root growth and hypocotyl elongation in somatic embryos but not in seedlings of norway spruce

Summary We studied how light from different light sources influences germination and postgerminative growth of plants from somatic embryos and seeds of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst). Somatic embryos of three spruce genotypes and seeds were subjected to light from commercially available light sources: Philips TLD Blue 18W/18 (BL), Osram Fluora (FL), Philips Cool White TL 50W/33 (CW), Osram Warm White 18W/30 (WW), Philips Yellow 36W/16 (YE) and Philips TLD Red 36W/15 (RE), 18 h a day, with a photon flux (PAR) at 30 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. After 6 wk the germination frequencies of the somatic embryo-derived plantlets were 50% under BL and 98% under RE. The corresponding mean root lengths were 6.7 and 15.4 mm. In somatic embryo-derived plantlets cultured under BL, FL, CW and WW, both roots and hypocotyls turned brown, presumably due to production of phenolic substances. Browning was less severe in somatic embryo-derived plantlets cultured under RE and YE. Under RE, the epicotyl elongated in 37% of the plantlets after 6 wk, compared with 70% under the other light sources. Seed germination and postgerminative seedling growth was modestly influenced by light from these light sources. RE and WW initially delayed germination as compared with BL, FL and CW, but after 2 wk, more than 90% of the seeds had germinated under all light sources. In conclusion, germination and postgerminative growth of somatic embryos of spruce is sensitive to differences in light quality, whereas seed germination and seedling growth is not.     

森林鼠类对秦岭南坡3种壳斗科植物种子扩散的影响

种子作为森林鼠类的主要食物来源,它们的扩散和更新很大程度上依赖于鼠类的传播。在鼠类扩散种子的过程中,种子特征和食物相对丰富度是影响鼠类对种子进行何种选择策略的重要因素。2011—2012年的8—12月,采用塑料片标记法在秦岭南坡的佛坪国家级自然保护区内调查了森林鼠类对同域分布的3种壳斗科植物(锐齿槲栎Quercus aliena var.acuteserrata、栓皮栎Q.variabilis和短柄枹栎Q.serrata var.brevipetiolata)种子的扩散差异。结果表明:(1)鼠类倾向于贮藏营养价值较大的栓皮栎种子,并且其贮藏距离也最远(2011:1.52 m,2012:4.03 m),3种种子在食物相对丰富度较低年份被贮藏的距离均较远。(2)在食物相对丰富度较高的年份(2011),种子的消耗速率较慢,在种子释放10 d后种子释放点仍有67.33%的种子,贮藏量较高,至实验结束仍有29.67%的种子被贮藏。在食物相对丰富度较低的年份(2012),种子消耗速率较快,在种子释放后10 d内所有种子均被取食或搬离种子释放点,贮藏量较低,至实验结束仅有3.83%的种子仍被贮藏。(3)虽然栓皮栎种子的贮藏量最大,被贮藏后的存留量也最大,但其在实验地的分布却较小,说明种子扩散仅是植物分布与存活的第一步。以上结果表明,鼠类倾向于贮藏营养价值高的种子。在食物相对丰富度较高的年份会更多的贮藏种子,但种子被贮藏的距离较近,在食物相对丰富度较低的年份会更多的取食种子。     

Seed germination responses to seasonal temperature and drought stress are species‐specific but not related to seed size in a desert steppe: Implications for effect of climate change on community structure

Investigating how seed germination of multiple species in an ecosystem responds to environmental conditions is crucial for understanding the mechanisms for community structure and biodiversity maintenance. However, knowledge of seed germination response of species to environmental conditions is still scarce at the community level. We hypothesized that responses of seed germination to environmental conditions differ among species at the community level, and that germination response is not correlated with seed size. To test this hypothesis, we determined the response of seed germination of 20 common species in the Siziwang Desert Steppe, China, to seasonal temperature regimes (representing April, May, June, and July) and drought stress (0, ?0.003, ?0.027, ?0.155, and ?0.87 MPa). Seed germination percentage increased with increasing temperature regime, but Allium ramosum, Allium tenuissimum, Artemisia annua, Artemisia mongolica, Artemisia scoparia, Artemisia sieversiana, Bassia dasyphylla, Kochia prastrata, and Neopallasia pectinata germinated to >60% in the lowest temperature regime (April). Germination decreased with increasing water stress, but Allium ramosum, Artemisia annua, Artemisia scoparia, Bassia dasyphylla, Heteropappus altaicus, Kochia prastrata, Neopallasia pectinata, and Potentilla tanacetifolia germinated to near 60% at ?0.87 MPa. Among these eight species, germination of six was tolerant to both temperature and water stress. Mean germination percentage in the four temperature regimes and the five water potentials was not significantly correlated with seed mass or seed area, which were highly correlated. Our results suggest that the species‐specific germination responses to environmental conditions are important in structuring the desert steppe community and have implications for predicting community structure under climate change. Thus, the predicted warmer and dryer climate will favor germination of drought‐tolerant species, resulting in altered proportions of germinants of different species and subsequently change in community composition of the desert steppe.     

Ecology of seed germination of eight non-pioneer tree species from a tropical seasonal rain forest in southwest China

We compared various aspects of the seed biology of eight non-pioneer tree species from a tropical seasonal rain forest in Xishuangbanna, SW China, that differ in time of dispersal, size and fresh seed moisture content (MC). Seeds were tested for germination under laboratory conditions after dehydration to different moisture levels and under 3.5, 10 and 30% solar irradiances in neutral-shade houses. For six species, germination was also compared in forest understory (3.5% light) and center of a forest gap (32.5% light). Under continuous dehydration over activated silica gel, 100% of seeds of four species had lost the ability to germinate after 48 h, and those of all species except Castanopsis hystrix (decreased from >90 to 30% germination) had lost the ability to germinate after 120 h. Four species did not differ in final germination percentages at the three irradiances (i.e. uniform germination). However, final germination percentages of Horsfieldia pandurifolia and Litsea pierrei var. szemaois were significantly lower in 30% than in 10 or 3.5% light, and seeds of Antiaris toxicaria and C. hystrix germinated to higher percentages in 30 and 10% than in 3.5% light. Mean time to germination (MTG) of the eight species (forest and shade house data combined) ranged from 5–5 days for Pometia tomentosa to 72–207days for L. pierrei; MTG for four species was ≤21 days. There was no obvious relationship between relative desiccation resistance and either time of dispersal, MTG or uniformity of germination at the three light levels, or between seed size and MC or MTG. However, the relationship between seed MC at maturity (25–60% fresh mass basis) and MC at 50% loss of seed viability (12.4–42.5%) was significant. Seven of the species fit Garwood’s (Ecol Monogr 53:159–181, 1983) rapid-rainy germination syndrome and one, L. pierrei, either her delayed-rainy or intermediate-dry germination syndrome. However, fresh, non-dehydrated seeds of all eight species germinated in ≤30 days at constant 30°C in light.     

不同居群准噶尔无叶豆果实和种子特性及种子萌发差异

研究准噶尔无叶豆(Eremosparton songoricum) 6个居群间果实和种子特性及种子萌发差异, 以揭示异质生境下准噶尔无叶豆果实和种子的生态适应机制。结果显示: 居群间准噶尔无叶豆的植株距离(F = 2.34, p = 0.03)和植株冠幅(F = 8.49, p < 0.01)存在显著差异, 沙漠北缘E、F居群和沙漠腹地C居群(受人类干扰剧烈)的植株距离和植株冠幅高于沙漠腹地A、B、D居群; 居群间准噶尔无叶豆果实和种子的长度、宽度、厚度、重量存在显著差异, 居群E、F和C的大部分参数显著高于其他沙漠腹地居群; 居群间果实多子性(F = 6.96, p < 0.01)也存在显著差异, 居群C的果实多子性最高((32.50 ± 4.79)%); 萌发结果表明, 居群间新鲜的成熟种子萌发不存在显著差异, 且萌发率都低于15%; 所有居群的大部分种子都存在物理性休眠现象, 人为划破种皮能显著提高种子萌发率, 但在低温(15/5 ℃)条件下, 所有居群的种子萌发率都较低, 说明低温抑制了种子萌发; 经人为划破种皮解除物理休眠后, 种子的休眠没有完全释放, 居群C、E和F (大种子居群)的种子萌发率显著高于居群A、B和D (小种子居群) (F = 30.77, p < 0.01), 说明准噶尔无叶豆种子不仅存在物理性休眠现象, 也可能存在生理休眠现象。不同程度的种子复合休眠可能是准噶尔无叶豆不同居群适应古尔班通古特沙漠的重要生存策略。     

Mass effects,clonality, and phenology but not seed traits predict species success in colonizing restored grasslands

Preserved grasslands commonly host species‐rich plant communities but a large part of the grasslands were plowed up in the past. Their restoration often requires a long time and initial restoration measures might trigger ecosystem recovery, which is then followed by spontaneous colonization. We evaluate the establishment success of target grassland species, which were not sown but established spontaneously in the restored grasslands of Bílé Karpaty Mts., SE Czech Republic. According to their key functional traits and incidence in the landscape (mass effect; acquired from the results of a grid mapping project in the region), we examined the frequency of species and their mean cover in 82 restored grasslands. The best predictor of species frequency in the grasslands was their mass effect, followed by a high capacity for clonal growth and late phenology. Seed dispersal traits (seed mass, terminal velocity, epizoochory ranking index) and plant height had no significant effect. Specific leaf area was positively correlated with mass effect. Species having a high cover in the restored grasslands had a high capacity for clonal growth. In the preparation of seed mixtures, we should therefore consider that nonclonal species relying on regeneration from seeds will be generally less able to reproduce and should be promoted by artificial sowing. At the same time, species common in the landscape, which spread well clonally, and those with a late phenology, might be expected to colonize restored meadows on their own, so that sowing them is not necessary.     

Intraspecific variation of seed floating ability in Sparganium emersum suggests a bimodal dispersal strategy

Water-mediated spread of seeds (hydrochory) plays an important role in the dispersal of aquatic plants. In this study we investigate intraspecific variation in floating ability and germination capacity of Sparganium emersum seeds in relation to seed mass, within three natural populations along the Rur River (the Netherlands–Germany). Our results suggest that S. emersum produces two types of seeds: (i) short-floating seeds (SFS) that sink within 4 weeks (approximately 71% of all seeds), and (ii) long-floating seeds (LFS) that float at least for 6 months (approximately 28% of all seeds). Our study further shows that short-floating seeds display a significantly higher germination (%) (SFS = 89.9% vs LFS = 32.6%), a faster germination rate (SFS = 8.71 ± 3.3 vs LFS = 9.32 ± 3.1 days to germination) and a higher mean seed mass (SFS = 15.17 ± 4.5 vs LFS = 11.25 ± 3.8 mg), compared to long-floating seeds. It is argued that the production of these two types of seeds by S. emersum plants, each type with a different potential for water-mediated dispersal, represents a bimodal hydrochoric dispersal strategy.     

Prediction of desiccation sensitivity in seeds of woody species: a probabilistic model based on two seed traits and 104 species

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Seed desiccation sensitivity limits the ex situ conservation of up to 47 % of plant species, dependent on habitat. Whilst desirable, empirically determining desiccation tolerance levels in seeds of all species is unrealistic. A probabilistic model for the rapid identification of woody species at high risk of displaying seed desiccation sensitivity is presented. METHODS: The model was developed using binary logistic regression on seed trait data [seed mass, moisture content, seed coat ratio (SCR) and rainfall in the month of seed dispersal] for 104 species from 37 families from a semi-deciduous tropical forest in Panamá. KEY RESULTS: For the Panamanian species, only seed mass and SCR were significantly related to the response to desiccation, with the desiccation-sensitive seeds being large and having a relatively low SCR (i.e. thin 'seed' coats). Application of this model to a further 38 species, of known seed storage behaviour, from two additional continents and differing vegetation types (dryland Africa and temperate Europe) correctly predicted the response to desiccation in all cases, and resolved conflicting published data for two species (Acer pseudoplatanus and Azadirachta indica). CONCLUSIONS: This model may have application as a decision-making tool in the handling of species of unknown seed storage behaviour in species from three disparate habitats.     

种子散布位置对格氏栲幼苗根系形态及生长特征的影响

种子从母株掉落于地面萌发后,其根系在不同散布位置(凋落物上层、土壤表层和凋落物下层)的生长形态影响幼苗定居及建成,而目前对其根系形态及生长特征的了解并不充分,限制了对幼苗根系在不同散布下适应策略的理解。为此,以格氏栲(Castanopsis kawakamii)为研究对象,通过模拟种子在凋落物中位置,设置凋落物上层(种子下层铺垫2 cm和4 cm凋落物,U2和U4处理)、土壤表层与凋落物下层(种子上层覆盖0、2、4、6 cm和8 cm凋落物,CK、D2、D4、D6和D8处理)等3种散布,探讨不同散布位置对格氏栲幼苗根系9个生长指标的影响。结果表明：(1)种子散布位置对幼苗根干物质质量具有显著影响,D2处理达最大值。(2)D2处理的幼苗根长、根表面积、根尖数、分枝数和比根长高于其它处理;根系平均直径在D6处理达最大值。(3)相关分析表明根长、根表面积、根尖数、分枝数和比根长与根系平均直径呈显著负相关关系。(4)对根系9个生长指标提取主成分后聚类为4个类群,D2与D4处理各划分一类;U2与U4处理划分一类,其余三个处理划分一类。综上所述,凋落物浅层覆盖(D2处理)适宜格氏栲根系生长;凋落物...     

干热河谷植物叶片,树高和种子功能性状比较

植物功能性状 (plant functional trait)是近年来生态学研究的热点。以云南怒江和澜沧江干热河谷36种木本植物为研究对象,选取比叶面积 (SLA)、植株高 (H) 和种子干重 (SM) 3个功能性状,研究它们的相互关系,比较其在河谷间、河谷内的差异。结果表明:1)两个河谷内36种木本植物的以上3种功能性状间没有显著的相关性 (P值分别为0.8739,0.5763,0.5517);2)河谷间的比叶面积存在显著差异 (P=0.02944),植株高和种子干重无显著差异 (P分别为0.4070, 0.8867);3)两个河谷内木本植物功能性状中,种子干重差异最大,植株高次之,比叶面积最小。     

Interspecific synchrony of seed rain shapes rodent‐mediated indirect seed–seed interactions of sympatric tree species in a subtropical forest

Animal‐mediated indirect interactions play a significant role in maintaining the biodiversity of plant communities. Less known is whether interspecific synchrony of seed rain can alter the indirect interactions of sympatric tree species. We assessed the seed dispersal success by tracking the fates of 21 600 tagged seeds from six paired sympatric tree species in both monospecific and mixed plots across 4 successive years in a subtropical forest. We found that apparent mutualism was associated with the interspecific synchrony of seed rain both seasonally and yearly, whereas apparent competition or apparent predation was associated with interspecific asynchrony of seed rain either seasonally or yearly. We did not find consistent associations of indirect interactions with seed traits. Our study suggests that the interspecific synchrony of seed rain plays a key role in the formation of animal‐mediated indirect interactions, which, in turn, may alter the seasonal or yearly seed rain schedules of sympatric tree species.     

Effects of germination time on seed morph ratio in a seed-dimorphic species and possible ecological significance

Background and Aims Diaspores of heteromorphic species may germinate at different times due to distinct dormancy-breaking and germination requirements, and this difference can influence life history traits. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of germination time of the two seed morphs of Suaeda corniculata subsp. mongolica on life history traits of the offspring.Methods Germinated brown and black seeds were sown on the 20th of each month from April to September in a simulated but near-natural habitat of the species. Phenological and vegetative traits of the maternal plants, and number, size and germination percentage of the offspring were determined.Key Results Germinated seeds sown late in the year produced smaller plants that had a higher proportion of non-dormant brown than dormant black seeds, and these brown seeds were larger than those produced by germinated seeds sown early in the year. The length of the seedling stage for brown seeds was shorter than that for black seeds, and the root/shoot ratio and reproductive allocation of plants from brown seeds were more variable than they were for plants from black seeds. Late-germinating brown seeds produced larger plants than late-germinating black seeds.Conclusions Altering the proportion of the two seed types in response to germination timing can help alleviate the adverse effects of delayed germination. The flexible strategy of a species, such as S. corniculata, that produces different proportions of dimorphic seeds in response to variation in germination timing may favour the maintenance and regeneration of the population in its unpredictable environment.