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Local climate controls among-population variation in germination patterns in two Erica species across western Iberia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2018

Daniel Chamorro ,
Belén Luna  and
José M. Moreno
Daniel Chamorro
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Carlos III s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain
Belén Luna
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Carlos III s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain
José M. Moreno*
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Av. Carlos III s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain
*
Author for correspondence: José M. Moreno, Email: josem.moreno@uclm.es
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Abstract

In seasonal climates, germination timing is mainly controlled by temperature, especially in species with physiological seed dormancy. The germination response to temperature may, however, vary among populations across the distribution range of species. Understanding how populations along climate gradients vary in their sensitivity to temperature is important for determining their vulnerability to climate variability and change. Here, we investigated the germination response of two Erica species with physiological seed dormancy (E. australis and E. umbellata) to changes in temperature throughout the seasons (simulated autumn through to spring) and to the local climate in six localities across a latitudinal gradient in western Iberia. Effects were studied with and without exposing the seeds to a heat shock. The local climate of seed provenance emerged as a key factor in modifying the germination sensitivity to germination temperature and their variation through the seasons. Although each species showed idiosyncratic germination responses to temperature treatments and across the gradient, germination of both species was sensitive to warmer temperatures and to a heat shock. Both showed similar seasonal germination patterns: as we moved from south to north, populations tended to have a larger germination peak in spring, which was greater at colder temperatures. We conclude that rising temperatures associated with climate change will affect these species, particularly at their northern ranges, where many seeds will remain dormant during warmer winters. Arguably, models aiming at assessing climate change impacts in these species need to include such variability across latitude.

Keywords

adaptationclimate changeEricagermination plasticitygermination seasonalitygermination temperaturelatitudinal gradientphysiological dormancy
Type
Research Paper
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , June 2018 , pp. 112 - 122
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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