Espinosa Carlos Ivan, Esparza Elvia, Jara-Guerrero Andrea
EcoSs_Lab, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110107, Ecuador.
Maestría de Biología de la Conservación y Ecología Tropical, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110107, Ecuador.
Plants (Basel). 2024 Oct 17;13(20):2900. doi: 10.3390/plants13202900.
This study examines seed germination strategies and seedling establishment in six tree species typical of seasonally dry tropical forests. We focused on how interspecific and intraspecific differences in seed size and germination speed influence biomass allocation and seedling growth. Using generalized linear models, we analyzed the effects of these traits on root/shoot ratios and growth rates. Our findings reveal two main strategies: slow germination, high root/shoot ratio, and low growth rate in Willd and A.H. Gentry, associated with enhanced drought tolerance. In contrast, (Kunth) J. Presl and Lindau exhibited rapid germination, lower root/shoot ratios, and low to moderate growth rates, favoring competition during early establishment. Rose ex Rudd partially aligned with this second strategy due to its fast growth. (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger presented a unique case, displaying slow germination and a broad range in both root/shoot ratios and growth rates. At the intraspecific level, significant variation in biomass allocation and growth rate was observed, influenced by germination speed and seed weight. We discuss the adaptive significance of seed traits in SDTFs and their role in seedling establishment under varying environmental conditions, providing insights for strategies for conservation and restoration in these ecosystems.
本研究考察了六种典型的季节性干旱热带森林树种的种子萌发策略和幼苗建立情况。我们重点关注种子大小和萌发速度的种间和种内差异如何影响生物量分配和幼苗生长。使用广义线性模型，我们分析了这些性状对根/茎比和生长速率的影响。我们的研究结果揭示了两种主要策略：在Willd和A.H. Gentry中萌发缓慢、根/茎比高且生长速率低，这与增强的耐旱性相关。相比之下，(Kunth) J. Presl和Lindau表现出快速萌发、较低的根/茎比以及低至中等的生长速率，有利于早期建立阶段的竞争。Rose ex Rudd因其快速生长而部分符合第二种策略。(Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Seigler & Ebinger呈现出独特的情况，表现为萌发缓慢且根/茎比和生长速率范围广泛。在种内水平上，观察到生物量分配和生长速率存在显著差异，受萌发速度和种子重量的影响。我们讨论了种子性状在季节性干旱热带森林中的适应性意义及其在不同环境条件下对幼苗建立的作用，为这些生态系统的保护和恢复策略提供了见解。
