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Germination characteristics and the relationship between population structure, soil seed bank density and fire response in the rare endemic Stachystemon vinosus (Halford & R.J.F.Hend.) (Euphorbiaceae) from southern Western Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 July 2019

Brian J. Vincent ,
Sarah Barrett Open the ORCID record for Sarah Barrett [Opens in a new window] ,
Anne Cochrane  and
Michael Renton
Brian J. Vincent
Affiliation:
Trillion Trees, Hazelmere, Western Australia 6055, Australia
Sarah Barrett*
Affiliation:
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia 6330, Australia
Anne Cochrane
Affiliation:
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia 6330, Australia Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia
Michael Renton
Affiliation:
Schools of Biological Sciences, Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, Western Australia 6009, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Sarah Barrett, Email: sarah.barrett@dbca.wa.gov.au
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Abstract

The regeneration niche defines the specific environmental requirements of the early phases of a plant's life cycle. It is critical for the long-term persistence of plant populations, particularly for obligate seeders that are highly vulnerable to stochastic events in fire-prone ecosystems. Here, we assessed germination characteristics and the relationship between population structure, soil seed bank density and fire response in Stachystemon vinosus (Euphorbiaceae), a rare endemic shrub from Western Australia, from burnt and long unburnt habitats. Many plants in long unburnt habitat were similar in size to those in recently burnt habitat. Soil seed bank density was related to plant abundance and fire history with density lower in burnt than unburnt sites. Thus, inter-fire recruitment may play a critical role in the requirements of the study species. To assess the dormancy status and germination requirements we used a ‘move-along’ experiment with temperatures from six seasonal phases of the year. Seeds were incubated under light and dark conditions, with and without smoked water, and with and without dry after-ripening. Germination was most effective when seeds were treated with smoked water and incubated in the dark at temperatures resembling autumn/winter conditions. After-ripening increased germination in light and dark incubated seeds in the absence of smoked water but was unnecessary for optimal germination in smoked water treated seeds. Irrespective of treatment, seeds showed a requirement for cooler temperatures for germination. These results suggest that rising temperatures and changes in fire regime associated with global warming may alter future germination responses of Stachystemon vinosus.

Keywords

conservationdemographygerminationtemperature sequenceseeds
Type
Research Paper
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 29 , Issue 2 , June 2019 , pp. 124 - 134
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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