Regeneration from seed in herbaceous understorey of ancient woodlands of temperate Europe

Author:

Blandino Cristina12ORCID,Fernández-Pascual Eduardo13,Newton Rosemary J1,Pritchard Hugh W1

Affiliation:

1. Science Directorate, Royal Botanic Gardens , Kew, Wakehurst, Ardlingly, West Sussex , UK

2. Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification , Florence , Italy

3. IMIB – Biodiversity Research Institute, University of Oviedo , Mieres , Spain

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims European ancient woodlands are subject to land use change, and the distribution of herbaceous understorey species may be threatened because of their poor ability to colonize isolated forest patches. The regeneration niche can determine the species assembly of a community, and seed germination traits may be important descriptors of this niche. Methods We analysed ecological records for 208 herbaceous species regarded as indicators of ancient woodlands in Europe and, where possible, collated data on seed germination traits, reviewed plant regeneration strategies and measured seed internal morphology traits. The relationship between plant regeneration strategies and ecological requirements was explored for 57 species using ordination and classification analysis. Key Results Three regeneration strategies were identified. Species growing in closed-canopy areas tend to have morphological seed dormancy, often requiring darkness and low temperatures for germination, and their shoots emerge in early spring, thus avoiding the competition for light from canopy species. These species are separated into two groups: autumn and late winter germinators. The third strategy is defined by open-forest plants with a preference for gaps, forest edges and riparian forests. They tend to have physiological seed dormancy and germinate in light and at higher temperatures, so their seedlings emerge in spring or summer. Conclusion Seed germination traits are fundamental to which species are good or poor colonizers of the temperate forest understorey and could provide a finer explanation than adult plant traits of species distribution patterns. Seed dormancy type, temperature stratification and light requirements for seed germination are important drivers of forest floor colonization patterns and should be taken in account when planning successful ecological recovery of temperate woodland understories.

Funder

People Programme

European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme

Government of Asturias

European Commission

Jardín Botánico Atlántico

Defra

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Plant Science

Reference163 articles.

1. The interaction of chilling and gibberellic acid on the germination of seeds of ornamental plants;*Abdalla;Seed Science and Technology,1980

2. Succisa pratensis Moench (Scabiosa succisa L.);*Adams;Journal of Ecology,1955

3. Germination and emergence of understorey and tall canopy forbs used in naturalistic sowing mixes. A comparison of performance in vitro v the field;*Ahmad;Seed Science and Technology,2007

4. Dormancy in seeds of Convallaria majalis L. and Smilacina racemosa;*Barton;Contribution from Boyce Thompson Institute,1942

5. A classification system for seed dormancy;Baskin;Seed Science Research,2004

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3