Functional seed traits and germination patterns predict species coexistence in Northeast Mediterranean foredune communities

• Published in: Annals of botany Vol. 127; no. 3; pp. 361 - 370
• Main Authors: Del Vecchio, Silvia, Mattana, Efisio, Ulian, Tiziana, Buffa, Gabriella
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 09.02.2021
• Subjects: Ecosystem; Germination; Italy; Original; Seeds; Temperature; Italy; Alien species; foundation species; global warming; Psammophytes; germination niche; annual plants; coastal dunes; morphological seed traits

The structure of plant communities, which is based on species abundance ratios, is closely linked to ecosystem functionality. Seed germination niche plays a major role in shaping plant communities, although it has often been neglected when explaining species coexistence. The aim of this work is to l...