Environmental filtering drives the shape and breadth of the seed germination niche in coastal plant communities.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

A phylogenetic comparative analysis of the seed germination niche was conducted in coastal plant communities of western Europe. Two hypotheses were tested, that (1) the germination niche shape (i.e. the preference for a set of germination cues as opposed to another) would differ between beaches and cliffs to prevent seedling emergence in the less favourable season (winter and summer, respectively); and (2) the germination niche breadth (i.e. the amplitude of germination cues) would be narrower in the seawards communities, where environmental filtering is stronger.

Methods

Seeds of 30 specialist species of coastal plant communities were collected in natural populations of northern Spain. Their germination was measured in six laboratory treatments based on

SUBMITTER: Fernandez-Pascual E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5604583 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature