Patykowski John, Dell Matthew, Gibson Maria
Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Ecology Australia, Fairfield, Victoria, Australia.
PLoS One. 2016 Aug 24;11(8):e0161665. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161665. eCollection 2016.
Change in ecosystem disturbance regimes from human land-use poses a worldwide problem for management of rare species. Two important types of disturbance influencing the persistence of species in Australian ecosystems are habitat fragmentation and fire. In this study, seed dispersal and the germination ecology of Pomaderris vacciniifolia-a critically endangered, rare endemic Australian shrub-were examined to identify likely influences of fire and fragmentation on the decline of populations. The response of seed germination to simulated effects of wildfire and canopy openings was investigated, as was the unaided dispersal capability of seeds from parent plants. A significant increase in germination rate was observed following 100°C heat treatment to seeds, while smoke and light exposure had little influence. Seed imbibition was strongly influenced by heat treatment. The findings indicate a likely positive post-fire germination response, with implications for recruitment success determined by moisture availability following fire. Unaided seed dispersal was limited, which partly explains the apparent decline of populations. Understanding disturbance requirements for threatened species, and subsequent management of landscapes for disturbance, will aid conservation of rare species throughout the world.
人类土地利用导致的生态系统干扰状况变化给珍稀物种的管理带来了一个全球性问题。影响澳大利亚生态系统中物种存续的两种重要干扰类型是栖息地破碎化和火灾。在本研究中，对一种极度濒危的澳大利亚珍稀特有灌木——柳叶泡花树的种子传播和萌发生态学进行了研究，以确定火灾和破碎化对其种群数量下降可能产生的影响。研究了种子萌发对模拟野火和林冠开口效应的响应，以及种子从母株上自然传播的能力。对种子进行100°C热处理后，发芽率显著提高，而烟雾和光照的影响较小。种子吸胀受热处理的强烈影响。研究结果表明，火灾后可能会出现积极的发芽反应，这对火灾后由水分供应决定的补充成功具有重要意义。种子自然传播有限，这在一定程度上解释了种群数量明显下降的原因。了解濒危物种对干扰的需求，以及随后对景观进行干扰管理，将有助于全球珍稀物种的保护。
