Effects of Autumn and Spring Heat Waves on Seed Germination of High Mountain Plants.

ABSTRACT: Alpine plants are considered to be particularly vulnerable to climate change and related extreme episodes, such as heat waves. Despite growing interest in the impact of heat waves on alpine plants, knowledge about their effects on regeneration is still fragmentary. Recruitment from seeds will be crucial for the successful migration and survival of these species and will play a key role in their future adaptation to climate change. In this study, we assessed the impacts of heat waves on the seed germination of 53 high mountain plants from the Northern Apennines (Italy). The seeds were exposed to laboratory simulations of three seasonal temperature treatments, derived from real data recorded at a meteorological station near the species growing site, which included two heat wave episodes that

SUBMITTER: Orsenigo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4509759 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature