Thermal Requirements Underpinning Germination Allude to Risk of Species Decline from Climate Warming.

ABSTRACT: The storage of seeds is a commonly used means of preserving plant genetic diversity in the face of rising threats such as climate change. Here, the findings of research from the past decade into thermal requirements for germination are synthesised for more than 100 plant species from southern Western Australia. This global biodiversity hotspot is predicted to suffer major plant collapse under forecast climate change. A temperature gradient plate was used to assess the thermal requirements underpinning seed germination in both commonly occurring and geographically restricted species. The results suggest that the local climate of the seed source sites does not drive seed responses, neither is it indicative of temperatures for optimal germination. The low diurnal phase of the temperature regi

SUBMITTER: Cochrane JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7355932 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature