Seed dormancy and persistence of Acacia berlandieri andLeucaena pulverulenta in a semi-arid environment

Pre- and post-dispersal seed loss and soil seed dynamics of the dominant Bulnesia retama (Zygophyllaceae) shrub in a sandy Monte desert of western Argentina

“…Most dominant woody perennials in desert and semi-desert areas lack a seed bank or in some cases possess a transient seed bank (Chambers and MacMahon, 1994;Kemp, 1989;Owens et al, 1995). Similar results have been observed for other woody dominant species from the Monte desert at Ñ acuñ á n (Marone et al, 2000;Villagra et al, 2002).…”

“…Similar results have been observed for other woody dominant species from the Monte desert at Ñ acuñ á n (Marone et al, 2000;Villagra et al, 2002). Even though long-lived perennials are usually minimally dependent on seed banks for their regeneration and protection against climatic uncertainty (Chambers and MacMahon, 1994;Kemp, 1989), persistent seed banks have been observed for some long-lived desert perennials (Auld, 1995;Owens et al, 1995). We think more studies about seed bank types of dominant shrubs and trees are needed to better understand plant recruitment in deserts and semi-deserts.…”

“…Most shrubs and long-living perennials usually exhibit minimal dependence on seed banks for their regeneration and protection against climatic uncertainty (Chambers and MacMahon, 1994;Kemp, 1989;Owens et al, 1995) as opposed to most desert annual and ephemeral grasses and herbs (Bertiller, 1998;Guo et al, 1999;Marone and Horno, 1997;Marone et al, 1998). However, a persistent seed bank represented by long-lived perennials has been found in some deserts or semi-deserts (Auld, 1995;Owens et al, 1995), as well as in halophytic communities (Aziz and Khan, 1996).…”

“…However, a persistent seed bank represented by long-lived perennials has been found in some deserts or semi-deserts (Auld, 1995;Owens et al, 1995), as well as in halophytic communities (Aziz and Khan, 1996).…”

Effect of water availability and seed source on physical dormancy break of Vicia villosa ssp. villosa

“…Weather and soil physical characteristics largely determine the microclimate to which seeds are exposed (Smýkal et al, 2014). The promoting effect of seed burial under semi-arid conditions could be related to higher moisture levels and lower temperature fluctuations (Owens et al, 1995). According to the hypothesis of van Klinken and Goulier (2013), species with PY would have habitat-specific dormancy-release mechanisms.…”