Macroclimatic Convergence and Habitat Specialisation Shape the Mediterranean Seed Germination Syndrome.

ABSTRACT: Ecological theory predicts that plant reproductive phenology in the Mediterranean regions is shaped by evolutionary processes driven by strong seasonality in precipitation-evaporation patterns. Thus, it can be expected that seed germination phenology has adapted to maximise recruitment during the season of highest water availability. Cold-cued and slow germination (i.e., the 'Mediterranean seed germination syndrome') has been hypothesised to be an adaptation to ensure that seedling emergence occurs in autumn/early winter, extending the growing season before the subsequent unfavourable summer drought. However, this hypothesis has been tested on individual species or local studies, without a proper synthesis for the whole Mediterranean region. Here we tested, for the first time, the Mediterr

SUBMITTER: Cruz-Tejada DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11542993 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature