Document: MAR-3-40-15

Germination dynamics and survival in two subalpine grassland communities with differentiated microenvironments.

MOLA, B.* ¹ and M.SEBASTIA ^1,2

Centre Tecnologic Forestal de Catalunya. 25280 Solsona. Spain ¹
Universitat de Lleida. 25198 Lleida. Spain ²

Abstract:
We studied the germination and establishment strategies of six plant species from subalpine grasslands in order to assess to whar extent the germination and establishment of the seedlings are relevant to the structure and differentiation of grassland communities. Three of the species were typical from xeric grasslands (Festuca gautieri, Globularia cordifolia and Sideritis hyssopifolia) and three from mesic grasslands (Trifolium repens, Plantago media and Helianthemum nummularium). All six species were sown in xeric and mesic plots, and their dynamics were assessed during a year after their sowing. Germination patterns were more dependent on the habitat where the seeds were placed than on the original habitat of the species. In xeric environments, the germination curves were related to extrinsic factors, while in mesic environments their trajectories were independent from variations in the external environment, and seemed to be driven by intrinsic factors. However, xeric species showed earlier germination than mesics in both environments. The final amount of germinated seeds was species dependent, and Festuca gautieri and Plantago media, both common in disturbed grasslands, presented a high germination rate. Survival was higher on mesic than on xeric plots, for both mesic and xeric species.

Keywords: Community dynamics, Seeds, Seedlings, Xeric Grasslands, Mesic Grasslands

This abstract is being presented at: 3:30 PM in session:
Poster Session #17: Vegetative Analysis.