Impact of bush fire on germination of some West African acacias

Danthu, Pascal; Ndongo, Martin; Diaou, M.; Thiam, O.; Sarr, Amadou; Dedhiou, B.; Vall, A. Ould Mohamed

doi:10.1016/s0378-1127(01)00822-2

Cited by 58 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The promotion of germination by fire in seeds with seed-coat dormancy is related to the scarification of the tegument and the rupturing of the seed coat or the melting of the seed-coat wax; thus, promoting water uptake (Kozlowski & Pallardy 2002;Danthu et al 2013). Even for seeds with hard coats that are dependent on fire to break dormancy, the heat and the duration of exposure either promote germination or are lethal to embryos (Trabaud 1987;Danthu et al 2003;Cirne & Miranda 2008). However, the embryos from the fruit of the macaw palm that were exposed to fire were able to maintain around 50% viability and vigor, which was a statistically similar value to that obtained for plants not exposed to fire (control).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

“…Populations of propagule-persister species tend to have thick seed coats and long-lived seed banks, with the recruitment of new individuals often being enhanced by fire (Pausas et al 2004;Ooi et al 2014). In fact, fire may act as a natural agent breaking seed dormancy and facilitating germination in some legumes (Danthu et al 2003;Williams et al 2003) and other plant species (Reyes & Trabaud 2009;Moreira et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Do the structures of macaw palm fruit protect seeds in a fire-prone environment?

et al. 2016

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Fire is an abiotic disturbance that regulates vegetation structure and biodiversity. Some plant species have adapted to fi re prone environments by evolving protective structures. Acrocomia aculeata (macaw palm) is widely distributed throughout tropical America, and is found in environments continuously infl uenced by anthropogenic fi re. We aimed to determine whether the fruit characteristics of A. aculeata enable seeds to resist the eff ects of fi re and also the consequent eff ects of fi re on fruit biometric traits and embryo viability. After a fi re event in a region of pastureforest transition, we marked 30 individuals of A. aculeata. Th e trees were separated by UPGMA analysis into 5 groups according to fi re exposure, ranging from trees with no exposure to trees with fruit completely exposed to fi re. Fruit exposure to high temperatures led to lower values in fruit fresh weight, length, density, and processable mass.Fire had no signifi cant eff ect on seed biometric variables, because of the structures of the fruit, including its lignifi ed endocarp and its insulating and mucilaginous mesocarp. Th ese structures helped to maintain the embryos viability by preventing oxidative damage. In conclusion, the fruit structure of the macaw palm may facilitate seed persistence, even when subject to increasingly frequent fi re events.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do the structures of macaw palm fruit protect seeds in a fire-prone environment?

et al. 2016

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“…The role of fruit in protecting seeds during fires is emphasized by the absence of viable seeds among those collected from open fruits. Even for seeds with hard coats and dependent on fire to break dormancy, the direct exposure to high temperatures can be lethal to embryos (Hanley et al, 2001;Danthu et al, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of prescribed fires on the survival and release of seeds of Kielmeyera coriacea (Spr.) Mart. (Clusiaceae) in savannas of Central Brazil

Cirne

Miranda

2008

Braz. J. Plant Physiol.

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Effects of prescribed fires on survival and release of seeds of the woody species Kielmeyera coriacea (Clusiaceae) were investigated in two plots of cerrado sensu stricto, a savanna vegetation of Central Brazil. The first plot was burnt in June, at the beginning of the dry season, and the second in August, in the middle of the dry season. Seed survival was measured after fire in both areas and related to internal and external fruit temperatures measured during the June fire. The proportion of open fruits per individual of K. coriacea was also assessed at two-week intervals. Maximum external temperatures during fire (393 to 734 o C) were strongly reduced inside the fruits (61 to 63 o C). Before the June fire, the majority of the fruits were closed in both plots. Most fruits in the June plot opened within two weeks following the burning while, in the same period, most fruits remained closed in the August plot. Fifteen days after the prescribed fire in the August plot most fruits opened, as observed in the June plot. No germination was observed in seeds from closed fruits collected before the fire, while those from fruits that were closed during the burning showed a high mean germination rate (June = 79 ± 12%; August = 69 ± 14%). The results indicate that fruits of K. coriacea are good insulators for seeds during fires and that seed release is anticipated independently of the burning season. Key words: Cerrado, fire season, fruit temperature, germination, seed release Efeito de queimadas prescritas na sobrevivência e dispersão de sementes de Kielmeyera coriacea (Spr.) Mart. (Clusiaceae) em áreas de cerrado sensu stricto: Os efeitos de queimadas prescritas na sobrevivência e na dispersão de sementes de Kielmeyera coriacea (Clusiaceae) foram investigados em duas parcelas de cerrado sensu stricto, uma queimada no início da estação seca (junho) e outra, em agosto, meio da estação seca. A sobrevivência das sementes após as queimadas foi relacionada às temperaturas externa e interna dos frutos medidas durante a queimada de junho. A proporção de frutos abertos por indivíduos de K. coriacea foi observada quinzenalmente. As temperaturas externas máximas durante a passagem do fogo (393 a 734 o C) foram fortemente reduzidas dentro dos frutos (61 a 63 o C). Nas duas parcelas, a maior parte dos frutos estava fechada antes da queimada realizada em junho. Cerca de 60% dos frutos observados na parcela queimada em junho abriram nas duas semanas após a queimada sendo que, no mesmo período, a maior parte dos frutos na parcela a ser queimada em agosto permaneceu fechada. Da mesma forma, nas duas semanas seguintes à queimada realizada em agosto, foi observada a abertura da maioria dos frutos. Nenhuma semente dos frutos coletados antes das queimadas germinou. Entretanto, foi alta a germinação das sementes coletadas dos frutos que estavam fechados durante as queimadas (junho = 79 ± 12%; agosto = 69 ± 14%). Os resultados indicam que os frutos de K. coriacea oferecem boa proteção para as sementes durante as queimadas e que, independentemen...

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“…In fact, Acacias around the world seem to need fire to germinate (Danthu et al, 2003;Dennill and Donnelly, 1991;Hunt et al, 1999;Spooner, 2005) and a recent study shows that fire-derived compounds may have a significant effect on the post-fire seedling ecology of wattles (Kulkarni et al, 2007). In fact, most Acacia species are highly adapted to fire, with hardcoated seeds (Spooner, 2005).…”

Section: Taking Advantage Of Disturbance and Adaptability To Changingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact, most Acacia species are highly adapted to fire, with hardcoated seeds (Spooner, 2005). In Mediterranean-climate ecosystems, wet tropics and semi-arid zones, it seems that heat shock due to fire could break seed dormancy (Danthu et al, 2003). Moreover, it is known that this species has highly competitive early growth following fire in wet native forest (Hickey, 1994).…”

Section: Taking Advantage Of Disturbance and Adaptability To Changingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The genus Acacia as invader: the characteristic case of Acacia dealbata Link in Europe

2010

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Abstract• We review current knowledge about the biology of the genus Acacia, and Acacia dealbata Link (silver wattle) in particular, as an invader in Europe, focusing on (i) the biology of the genus Acacia; (ii) biological attributes that are important for the invasiveness of the genus and A. dealbata; (iii) possible hypotheses for the invasion success; and (iv) control methods.• Several Australian wattles have been recorded as naturalized in Europe. Acacia has attained pest proportions in certain habitats and protected sites (notably coastal dunes, river courses, natural parks and biosphere reserves).• The spread of Acacia dealbata seems to be assisted by human interference such as soil disturbance and severe fires. The biological attributes favoring invasion by A. dealbata include tolerance of changing soil conditions, the ability to take advantage of environmental disturbance, phenotypic plasticity, vegetative reproduction, fire tolerance and allelopathic potential.• Different hypotheses explaining invasiveness and transition between invasion steps related to biological attributes as the key factor for A. dealbata invasion are discussed. Effects on the biodiversity of native flora are little understood and studies of suppression of autochthonous species are needed. It is desirable that further studies comparing Acacia at field sites in their native and exotic range should be done.• Understanding the biology of invasive wattles in Europe is the first step to an effective control method. Studies comparing plant invaders at field sites in their native and invaded areas seem to be most appropriate in order to be able to attack the most vulnerable stages. Mots-clés :Acacia dealbata / biodiversité / attributs biologiques / genre Acacia / espèces envahissantes Résumé -Le genre Acacia comme envahisseur : caractéristiques du cas Acacia dealbata Link en Europe.• Nous passons en revue les connaissances actuelles sur la biologie du genre Acacia et de Acacia dealbata Link, en particulier comme un envahisseur en Europe, en mettant l'accent sur : (i) la biologie du genre Acacia ; (ii) les attributs biologiques qui sont importants pour le caractère envahissant du genre et d'A. dealbata ; (iii) les hypothèses possibles pour la réussite de l'invasion et (iv) les mé-thodes de contrôle.• Plusieurs acacias australiens ont été enregistrés comme naturalisés en Europe. Acacia a atteint la proportion de nuisible dans certains habitats et sites protégés (notamment des dunes côtières, des cours d'eau, des parcs naturels et des réserves de la biosphère).• La propagation de l'Acacia dealbata semble avoir été aidée par l'intervention humaine, telle que la perturbation des sols et de graves incendies. Les attributs biologiques favorisant l'invasion par A. dealbata incluent la tolérance aux changements des conditions du sol, la capacité à tirer profit des perturbations de l'environnement, la plasticité phénotypique, la reproduction végétative, la tolérance au feu, et le potentiel allélopathique.• Différentes hypothèses expliquant le caractè...

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Impact of bush fire on germination of some West African acacias

Cited by 58 publications

References 21 publications

Do the structures of macaw palm fruit protect seeds in a fire-prone environment?

Do the structures of macaw palm fruit protect seeds in a fire-prone environment?

Effects of prescribed fires on the survival and release of seeds of Kielmeyera coriacea (Spr.) Mart. (Clusiaceae) in savannas of Central Brazil

The genus Acacia as invader: the characteristic case of Acacia dealbata Link in Europe

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