Effects of Autumn and Spring Heat Waves on Seed Germination of High Mountain Plants

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133626
• Publication Date: 2015-07-21T17:57:36Z
• Authors: Simone Orsenigo; Thomas Abeli; Graziano Rossi; Paolo Bonasoni; Cristian Pasquaretta; Maurizia Gandini; Andrea Mondoni
• Keywords: Heat wave

Alpine plants are considered to be particularly vulnerable climate change and related extreme episodes, such as heat waves. Despite growing interest in the impact of waves on alpine plants, knowledge about their effects regeneration is still fragmentary. Recruitment from seeds will crucial for successful migration survival these species play a key role future adaptation change. In this study, we assessed impacts seed germination 53 high mountain Northern Apennines (Italy). The were exposed laboratory simulations three seasonal temperature treatments, derived real data recorded at meteorological station near site, which included two wave episodes that occurred both spring 2003 autumn 2011. Moreover, consider effect increasing drought conditions waves, was also investigated under four different water potentials. absence mainly spring, after had experienced winter seasons. However, resulted significant increase c. 30% elicited 50%. When coupled with drought, decreased all species, but did not stop completely. Our results suggest future, affect phenology especially conditionally dormant strictly cold-adapted chorotypes, by shifting emergence time proportion emerged seedlings. detrimental recruitment success less likely due inhibition per se, rather seedling seasons, they used experiencing. Changes timing there may major implications plant population size structure.