Poor seed dispersal, seed germination and seedling survival explain why rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) do not expand into natural forests in Xishuangbanna, southwest China

Zhou, Heng; Yan, Hai; Ai, Xiangshuai; Chen, Guoyun; Ming, Cun; Xie, Jianghui; Tian, Yun

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2015.09.023

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(45 reference statements)

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“…Differing from Zhou et al . who attributed failure of rubber trees ( Hevea brasiliensis ) to expand into natural forests in Xishuangbanna to its poor seed dispersal 34 , this study emphasized the importance of seed sensitivity to desiccation and high temperature. To my knowledge, the present study is the first report to relate seed storage behaviour to plant invasiveness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Seed germination ecology of Alexandra palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) and its implication on invasiveness

Wen

2019

Sci Rep

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Biological invasions are occurring worldwide, causing enormous economic and ecological damage. Early detection and prediction of invasiveness are the most effective measures to reduce its damage. The Alexandra palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) is a prolific seeder and an alien species widely planted in tropical China. To help understand the invasion risks posed by this species, lab and field experiments on seed germination were conducted. Results show that the seeds only germinate within a temperature range of 20–30 °C and are sensitive to desiccation and high temperature, with seedling inhibition at 35 °C and −0.8 MPa. Complete viability loss was observed after desiccation to water content of 0.17–0.21 g/g or heat treatment for 30 minutes at 60 °C and above. However, appropriate habitats such as the rainforest understory, forest gaps, forest edges, and a rubber plantation are present in Xishuangbanna. Seeds are also frequently consumed by animals; therefore, there is a high potential for Alexandra palm to become an invasive species in Xishuangbanna. Currently, the main barrier to invasion in Xishuangbanna is likely to be the need for seed dispersal into suitable moist, partly shaded, habitats. Understanding the requirements for germination of the Alexandra palm can better inform management strategies for the control of this species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Seed germination ecology of Alexandra palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) and its implication on invasiveness

Wen

2019

Sci Rep

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“…Seed germination represents an important life stage and can influence community dynamics (Zeng, Wang, Baskin, & Baskin, ; Zhou et al., ), lifetime fitness (Dukic, Dunisijevic‐Bojovic, & Samuilov, ), and life history characteristics (Wang et al., ). It is essential to study seed germination when examining reproductive strategies and evolutionary ecology (Baskin & Baskin, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is essential to study seed germination when examining reproductive strategies and evolutionary ecology (Baskin & Baskin, ). Seed germination, seed mass, and mode of dispersal of wild plant species are heritable and contribute to seedling survival and are thus subjected to natural selection (Chen, Xu, Wang, & Mao, ; Zhou et al., ). A large proportion of studies focused on seed mass variation with altitude, latitude, habitat, and other environmental factors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Phylogeny, habitat together with biological and ecological factors can influence germination of 36 subalpine Rhododendron species from the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Wang

Lai

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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The reproductive stages of the life cycle are crucial in explaining the distribution patterns of plant species because of their extreme vulnerability to environmental conditions. Despite reported evidence that seed germination is related to habitat macroclimatic characteristics, such as mean annual temperature, the effect of this trait in controlling plant species distribution has not yet been systematically and quantitatively evaluated. To learn whether seed germination can predict species distribution along altitude gradients, we examined germination data of 36 Rhododendron species in southeastern Tibet originating from contrasting altitudes, habitats, plant heights, seed masses, and phylogenies. Germination varied significantly with altitude, habitat, plant height, and phylogeny and was higher in the light than in the dark. Germination percentage was highest at 10:20°C in the light and 15:25°C in the dark. As altitude increased, germination percentages first rose and then decreased, being highest at 3,500–4,000 m. Germination percentage and rate were highest on rocky slopes, increasing as seed mass and plant height rose. Variations in germination percentage and rate were not significant at subgenera, section, and subsection levels, but they were significant at species level. The results suggested that the relationship between germination and altitude may provide insights into species distribution patterns. Further, germination patterns are a result of long‐term evolution as well as taxonomic constraints.

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Warming affects herbaceous germination, early survival, and growth by shifting plant-soil microbe interactions in an alpine ecosystem

et al. 2023

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Poor seed dispersal, seed germination and seedling survival explain why rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) do not expand into natural forests in Xishuangbanna, southwest China

Cited by 7 publications

References 47 publications

Seed germination ecology of Alexandra palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) and its implication on invasiveness

Seed germination ecology of Alexandra palm (Archontophoenix alexandrae) and its implication on invasiveness

Phylogeny, habitat together with biological and ecological factors can influence germination of 36 subalpine Rhododendron species from the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Warming affects herbaceous germination, early survival, and growth by shifting plant-soil microbe interactions in an alpine ecosystem

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