Abstract

PEREZ-DOMINGUEZ, Regina et al. Germination of species of the tamaulipan thornscrub in a gradient of altitude. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2013, vol.4, n.17, pp.156-163. ISSN 2007-1132.

Climate change has been considered a threat to biodiversity, especially for those species that are located in fragile ecosystems. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of elevation in seed germination and seedling growth of ten species from different locations that occur in the Tamaulipan thornscrub. The information generated here will help predict potential effects of climate change in natural regeneration, as well as potential plant migration to higher elevations and adequate altitudes for future plantations. Seeds of all species and locations were stratified and sowed in three elevations: 350, 550 and 1 600 m asl. Germination and seedling growth were followed for 30 days. Caesalpinia mexicana, Ehretia anacua and Parkinsonia aculeata had the highest germination percentages in the three altitudes. The seeds of several provenances of Prosopis glandulosa, Caesalpinia mexicana, Ehretia anacua, Acacia berlandieri and Parkinsonia aculeata showed higher germination. Lepidium virginicum and Acacia berlandieri had the highest germination values at 1 600 masl. These results suggest that some species can germinate above their current distribution range, and might have the ability to migrate upslope as a consequence of climate change.

Keywords : Altitude; climate change; migration; germination; Tamaulipan thornscrub; seedlings.

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