Diversity of germination strategies and seed dormancy in herbaceous species of campo rupestre grasslands

Fire-related germination; Neotropical grassland; Physiological dormancy; Temperature fluctuation; Neotropical Region; Cyperaceae; Poaceae; Velloziaceae; Xyridaceae

Abstract :

[en] The effects of fire on the vegetation vary across continents. However, in Neotropical fire-prone grasslands, the relationship between fire and seed germination is still poorly understood, while their regeneration, especially after strong anthropogenic disturbance, is challenging for their conservation. In the present study, we assessed diversity of germination strategies in 15 dominant herbaceous species from Neotropical altitudinal grasslands (locally known as campos rupestres). We exposed seeds to several fire-related treatments. We also compared germination between regularly and post-fire fruiting species. Finally, we investigated the diversity of dormancy classes aiming at better understanding the biogeography and phylogeny of seed dormancy. Germination strategies varied among families. Velloziaceae and Xyridaceae produced non-dormant, fast-germinating seeds. Cyperaceae and Poaceae showed an extremely low or null germination due to a high proportion of unviable or embryo-less seeds. The seeds of campo rupestre grasslands are fire resistant, but there is no evidence that fire triggers germination in this fire-prone ecosystem. Although heat and charred wood did not promote germination, smoke enhanced germination in one grass species and decreased the mean germination time and improved synchrony in Xyridaceae and Velloziaceae. Fire had a positive effect on post-fire regeneration by stimulating fruit set in some Cyperaceae and Poaceae species. These species produced faster germinating seeds with higher germination percentage and synchrony compared to regularly fruiting Cyperaceae and Poaceae species. This strategy of dispersion and regeneration seems to be an alternative to the production of seeds with germination triggered by fire. Physiological dormancy is reported for the first time in several clades of Neotropical plants. Our data help advance the knowledge on the role of fire in the regeneration of Neotropical grasslands. © 2015 Ecological Society of Australia.

Disciplines :

Environmental sciences & ecology
Phytobiology (plant sciences, forestry, mycology...)

Author, co-author :

Le Stradic, Soizig ; Université de Liège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Biodiversité et Paysage

Silveira, Fernando A. O.; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais > Departamento de Botanica

Buisson, Elise; Université d'Avignon et des Pays de Vaucluse > IMBE - Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie

Cazelles, Kevin; Université de Montpellier II > Evolutionary Community Ecology, Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution

Carvalho, Vanessa; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais > Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas

Fernandes, Geraldo Wilson; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais > Ecologia Evolutiva & Biodiversidade - Instituto de Ciências Biológicas

Language :

English

Title :

Diversity of germination strategies and seed dormancy in herbaceous species of campo rupestre grasslands

Publication date :

2015

Journal title :

Austral Ecology

ISSN :

1442-9985

Publisher :

Blackwell Publishing

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

537-546

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 19 January 2015

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