Ecology of Tree Seed and Seedlings: Implications for Tropical Forest Conservation and Restoration
background
This article reviews literature concerning germination and seedling growth pertinent to tropical forest conservation and restoration, examining the various processes and factors that seeds are exposed to.
Conclusions & Takeaways
Practitioners must pay attention to seed dormancy which varies especially between dry forest and rainforest species. The optimal conditions for seed germination and seedling growth for each species depend on the following factors: light sensitivity, temperature, moisture, fire, disturbance, ambient carbon dioxide, seed size, predators and parasites, and provenance. Germination and seedling growth may also be influenced by whether the species is an early or late successional species. The authors conclude with a brief summary of the implications that germination and seedling growth have in India.
Reference:
Khurana, E. and Singh, J.S. 2001. Ecology of tree seed and seedlings: Implications for tropical forest conservation and restoration. Current Science 80(6): 748-757.
Affiliation:
- Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India