Text by Heloiza Zirondi
In many environments, fire plays an important role in affecting and altering plant communities. Fire cues such as high temperatures and smoke produced during fire events can affect the germination of plants. For example, high temperatures can break the dormancy of some seeds, allowing them to germinate while other species have their germination increased by smoke chemicals.
Working with the effects of fire on seeds comes a long way. During my undergrad studies, I looked into how fire cues affected permeable versus impermeable seed species. The results showed that high temperatures can break physical dormancy of Legume species (impermeable seeds), while some species with permeable seed coat had their germination increased by smoke. Also, the results of my master’s project showed a great influence on seed and germination traits of post-fire seed production. That is: the quality of seeds collected from the first seed production after a fire and from a fire exclusion area is different.
At the Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology (LEVeg), we research how fire affects the seed and germination traits of Cerrado plant species. We’ve been caring out heat shock and smoke experiments with more than 100 species, from grasses to trees, and already have some interesting results! These results will contribute to a better understanding of regeneration by seeds after a fire in the community.
If you want to know more check these out:
Publications:
> Zirondi, H.L., Silveira, F.A.O., & Fidelis, A. 2019. Fire effects on seed germination: heat shock and smoke on permeable vs impermeable seed coats. Flora 253: 98–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2019.03.007
> Zirondi, H.L., de Pinho José, H., Daibes, L.F., & Fidelis, A. 2019. Heat and smoke affect the germination of flammable resprouters: Vellozia species in the Cerrado. Folia Geobotanica. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12224-019-09337-4
Projects:
Fire-adapted seed traits in Cerrado species (FAPESP 2019/09903-0)
How fire season affects Cerrado vegetation? (FAPESP JP 2015/06743-0)
Collaborators:
Dr. Gerhard Leubner (Royal Holloway University of London, UK)
Dr. Mark Ooi (University of New South Wales)
Dr. Fernando A.O. Silveira (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais)
Find us on twitter @LEVeg_Unesp
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