Although key elements defining the juvenile growth phase remain unmeasured, our results broadly support SPL theory in that phytometer and leaf size are a product of the size of the initial shoot meristem (≅ seed mass) and the duration and quality of juvenile growth. These allometrically constrained traits combine to confer ecological specialization on individual species. Equally, they appear conservatively expressed within major taxa. Thus, 'evolutionary canalization' sensu Stebbins (Stebbins GL. 1974. Flowering plants: evolution above the species level . Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press) is perhaps associated with both seed and leaf development, and major taxa appear routinely specialized with respect to ecologically important size-related traits.

Background and Aims Plants depend fundamentally on establishment from seed. However, protocols in trait-based ecology currently estimate seed size but not seed number. This can be rectified. For annuals, seed number should simply be a positive function of vegetative biomass and a negative one of seed size. Methods Using published values of comparative seed number as the ‘golden standard’ and a large functional database, comparative seed yield and number per plant and per m2 were predicted by multiple regression. Subsequently, ecological variation in each was explored for English and Spanish habitats, newly-calculated CSR strategies and changed abundance in the British flora. Key Results As predicted, comparative seed mass yield per plant was consistently a positive function of plant size and competitive ability and largely independent of seed size. Regressions estimating comparative seed number included, additionally, seed size as a negative function. Relationships differed numerically between regions, habitats and CSR strategies. Moreover, some species differed in life history over their geographical range. Practically, comparative seed yield per m 2 was positively correlated with FAO crop yield, and increasing British annuals produced numerous seeds. Nevertheless, predicted values must be viewed as comparative rather than absolute: they varied according to the ‘golden standard’ predictor used. Moreover, regressions estimating comparative seed yield m -2 achieved low precision. Conclusions For the first time, estimates of comparative seed yield and number for over 800 annuals and their predictor equations have been produced and the ecological importance of these regenerative traits has been illustrated. ‘Regenerative trait-based ecology’ remains in its infancy with work needed on determinate versus indeterminate flowering (‘bet-hedging’), C-S-R methodologies, phylogeny, comparative seed yield per m 2 and changing life-history. Nevertheless, this has been a positive start and readers are invited to use estimates for >800 annuals, in the Supplementary Data, to help advance ‘regenerative trait-based ecology’ to the next level.

Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie del género Puccinellia de las lagunas endorreicas de la Mancha y Andalucía oriental. P. caespitosa se ha confundido con P. stenophylla de la que se puede distinguir por sus piezas florales menores y su hábitat.

Tras el estudio de los hayedos prepirenaicos aragoneses (provincias de Zaragoza y Huesca), los autores presentan una tabla de más de 50 inventarios correspondiente al Buxo- Fagetum sylvaticae y explican su composición florística, hábitat y fitotopografía. También se dan tres inventarios del Scillo-Fagetum sylvaticae, mucho más localizado en esta región. Por último, se describe su estado de conservación y se dan algunas recomendaciones para su protección.

No abstract