Are wildfires an adapted ecological cue breaking physical dormancy in the Mediterranean basin?. Issue 2 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jaganathan, Ganesh K.
• Is Part Of: Seed science research. Volume 25:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Seeds -- Periodicals; 631.521
• DOI: 10.1017/S0960258514000439
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-2585

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Many studies have claimed that fire acts as the chief ecological factor cueing dormancy break in seeds with a water-impermeable seed coat, i.e. physical dormancy (PY), in Mediterranean ecosystems. However, a proposal is made that seasonal temperature changes must be viewed as more meaningful dormancy-breaking cues because: (1) fire is erratic and may break PY in seasons during which seedlings cannot complete their life cycle; (2) fire may not occur for long periods, thereby only providing an opportunity for dormancy break and germination once in every several years; and (3) if fire opens the specialized anatomical structures called 'water gaps', in seconds, their evolutionary role of detecting environmental conditions becomes irrational. Although fire breaks dormancy in a proportion of seeds, given the risk of seed mortality and the post-fire environment providing cues for dormancy break, it is suggested that fire might possibly be an exaptation.</p> </abstract>