Germination responses of a dry sclerophyll forest soil stored seed bank to fire related cues.

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Impacts of Fire on Ecological Processes and Biodiversity
TitleGermination responses of a dry sclerophyll forest soil stored seed bank to fire related cues.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsPenman, TD, Binns, DL, Shiels, RJ, Allen, RM, Plummer, H
JournalCunninghamia
Pagination547-555
Date Published12/02/2008
Accession NumberBF-1111
AbstractFire is an integral component of many ecosystems worldwide. Many plant species require fire related cues to trigger germination, primarily heat and smoke. Despite the importance of this process, the responses of many Australian species to these cues are unknown. Without this knowledge fire management strategies may be developed that are inappropriate for individual species and communities. In this study we examined the responses of a dry Eucalypt forest seed bank to heat and smoke germination cues. Analysis was possible for 48 taxa within the soil seed bank with 34 of these showing a response to one or both of the germination cues. Ten species responded to the heat treatment, eleven responded to the smoke treatment and thirteen species responded to both the heat and smoke treatments. Germination cues acted independently for all species considered. Results in this study were consistent with published reports for most species, although some differences were seen at the species and genus level. The study highlights the importance of fire-related cues in enhancing germination of a large proportion of the species occurring in dry Eucalypt forests.
URLhttp://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/research/areas/fre/scientific-outputs/2008/1386