@article{PAR00010398,
  title = {{E}cological significance of seed desiccation sensitivity in {Q}uercus ilex},
  author = {{J}o{\¨e}t, {T}hierry and {O}urcival, {J}. {M}. and {D}ussert, {S}t{\'e}phane},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{S}everal widespread tree species of temperate forests, such as species of the genus {Q}uercus, produce recalcitrant (desiccation-sensitive) seeds. {H}owever, the ecological significance of seed desiccation sensitivity in temperate regions is largely unknown. {D}o seeds of such species suffer from drying during the period when they remain on the soil, between shedding in autumn and the return of conditions required for germination in spring? {T}o test this hypothesis, the {M}editerranean holm oak ({Q}uercus ilex) forest was used as a model system. {T}he relationships between the climate in winter, the characteristics of microhabitats, acorn morphological traits, and the water status and viability of seeds after winter were then investigated in 42 woodlands sampled over the entire {F}rench distribution of the species. {T}he percentages of germination and normal seedling development were tightly linked to the water content of seeds after the winter period, revealing that in situ desiccation is a major cause of mortality. {T}he homogeneity of seed response to drying suggests that neither intraspecific genetic variation nor environmental conditions had a significant impact on the level of desiccation sensitivity of seeds. {I}n contrast, the water and viability status of seeds at the time of collection were dramatically influenced by cumulative rainfall and maximum temperatures during winter. {A} significant effect of shade and of the type of soil cover was also evidenced. {T}he findings establish that seed desiccation sensitivity is a key functional trait which may influence the success of recruitment in temperate recalcitrant seed species. {C}onsidering that most models of climate change predict changes in rainfall and temperature in the {M}editerranean basin, the present work could help foresee changes in the distribution of {Q}. ilex and other oak species, and hence plant community alterations.},
  keywords = {{Q}uercus ilex ; acorn ; desiccation sensitivity ; holm oak ; drought ; ecological filtering ; germination ; {M}editerranean climate ; recalcitrance ; winter rainfall ; {FRANCE} ; {ZONE} {MEDITERRANEENNE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}nnals of {B}otany},
  volume = {111},
  numero = {4},
  pages = {693--701},
  ISSN = {0305-7364},
  year = {2013},
  DOI = {10.1093/aob/mct025},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/{PAR}00010398},
}