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Germination and seed bank depletion of holly (Ilex aquifolium L.) in four microhabitat types

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Sagrario Arrieta  and
Francisco Suárez
Sagrario Arrieta*
Affiliation:
Dep. de Medio Ambiente, Escuela Politécnica, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón (Madrid), E-28670, Spain
Francisco Suárez
Affiliation:
Dep. de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, E-28045, Spain
*
*Correspondence, Fax: +34 916?168 265 Email:, msagrario.arrieta@amb.cie.uem.es
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Abstract

The germination dynamics of Ilex aquifolium L. were studied in central Spain using a 3-year field sowing experiment. Ten triads of bags (n = 30 seeds per bag) were buried randomly in four different microhabitats: inside the holly woodland, along the forest edge, in open grassland and under isolated shrubs. Bags were harvested annually, and seeds were analysed for seed viability, embryo development changes and germination. Holly seeds did not germinate until the second year. Embryo development and seed germination were faster at the forest edge, with a total germination proportion of 63% of sown seeds. Germination in the holly woodland (48%), under the shrubs (46%) and in grassland (46%) were very similar. Thus, recruitment of Ilex populations in this region is not limited by requirements for germination. After the third year, the seed bank was reduced by 80–90% of the initial seeds, so it can be considered as a short-persistent seed bank. Holly seed behaviour can enhance recruitment in semi-open areas, such as forest edges. Linked to the short persistence of its seed bank, this species can be considered an intermediate strategist between mature forest specialists and early successional species. This work contributes to a deeper knowledge of the germination ecology of I. aquifolium, in an effort to determine the relative importance of germination/ dormancy processes within holly population dynamics.

Keywords

embryo developmentIlex aquifoliummorphophysiological dormancyquiescenceradicle emergenceregeneration dynamicsseed viability
Type
Research Article
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , September 2004 , pp. 305 - 313
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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