Germination responses to light of four Neotropical forest tree species along an elevational gradient in the southern Central Andes

• Published in: Ecological research 2020-05, Vol.35 (3), p.550-558
• Main Authors: Carón, Maria Mercedes, De Frenne, Pieter, Verheyen, Kris, Quinteros, Andrea, Ortega‐Baes, Pablo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Darkness; Environmental conditions; Environmental gradient; Forest management; Germination; Life cycle; Life cycles; Light; Light effects; mountain forest; Plant cover; Plant species; Project management; regeneration; Restoration; Seed germination; Seedlings; Seeds; Soil; Species; subtropical tree species; Tropical forests; Vegetation cover; Yungas forest
• ISSN: 0912-3814; 1440-1703
• DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12112

Seed germination is a key part of plants' life cycle and is mostly affected by the genetic background, the environmental conditions experienced by the mother plant and the seedbed conditions. The germination response to light is essential to optimize germination and seedling establishment in space and time. In addition, the germination response to light is a trait often related to the response of the seeds to their position in the soil (uncovered/buried). Here, we studied the germination response to light of four key tree species of the Yungas forest (Anadenanthera colubrina, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Jacaranda mimosifolia and Handroanthus impetiginosus) sampled along an elevational and environmental gradient with contrasting vegetation cover and disturbance. Relative light germination (RLG) and mean germination time (MGT) were determined. Final germination was tested under cycles of light (8 h) and darkness (16 h) versus complete darkness (24 h) and elevation, and MGT was tested as a function of elevation of the provenance. The RLG increased from smaller to larger‐seeded species. The MGT of three of the studied species was affected by the elevation of the provenance. Complete darkness negatively affected final germination, while two species exhibited a significant interaction between the provenance and light. The variable germination responses to light along the elevational gradient highlights the influence of the environment on germination as a key factor that should be considered for forest management, conservation and restoration projects. The germination response to light is essential to optimize germination and seedling establishment in space and time. Here, we studied the germination response to light of four key tree species of the Yungas forest (Anadenanthera colubrina, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Jacaranda mimosifolia and Handroanthus impetiginosus) sampled along an elevational gradient. The variable germination responses to light along the elevational gradient can be an indication that the species' capacity to colonize gaps is influenced by the provenance and should be taken into account for forest management and restoration and conservation projects.