Are Wildfires a Threat for Globose Cacti in the Córdoba Mountains, Central Argentina?

Gurvich, Diego E.; Zupichiatti, Verónica Eugenia; Whitworth‐Hulse, Juan I.; Zeballos, Sebastián Rodolfo

doi:10.2985/015.087.0609

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…1995; Gurvich et al . 2015), which could imply a greater probability for columnar cacti to develop seeds more tolerant to fire, our results show that these trade‐offs are difficult to interpret in terms of growth form.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…Some of the mentioned characteristics may have adaptive value for cacti response to fire (Thomas 1991; Gurvich et al . 2015; Lindow‐López et al . 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some species have survival rates as high as 80% (Thomas 1991; Gurvich et al . 2015), whereas others are sensitive to fire (Cave & Patten 1984; Rogers 1985; Thomas & Goodson 1992; Steers & Allen 2011). Factors such as fire characteristics (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evidence suggests that certain cactus growth forms, such as globose species, are more tolerant to fire than other growth forms, such as columnar or opuntioid species, arguably due to their low surface/volume ratio and their meristems being closer to the ground, which protect them from high temperatures during fires (Thomas 2006; Gurvich et al . 2015). However, all growth forms are physically capable of post‐fire growth given optimal conditions, and death attributable to fire is usually <25% (Humphrey & Everson 1951; Thomas & Goodson 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, illegal collection and urban development are other increasing threats for cactus populations in the area (Gurvich et al . 2006, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Are wildfires affecting seed germination in cactus? An experimental assessment

2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cacti are conspicuous plants across arid and semi-arid ecosystems of the American continent and are currently under threat due to human pressures, such as habitat loss, illegal collection and changes in fire regimes. Although much of their habitat is highly fire prone, there are strikingly few studies on their germination response to fire cues. The aim of this work was to analyse the effect of heat shock (simulating wildfires) on the 'germination %' and the 'mean germination time' of 13 cactus species of two growth forms (six columnar and seven globose) from a fire-prone cactus diversity hotspot in Córdoba Mountains, central Argentina. We also analysed the effect of growth form and seed mass on species responses. Seeds were subjected to the following treatments: 70°C/5 min, 70°C/10 min, 105°C/5 min, 105°C/10 min and a control (i.e. no heat). Germination decreased under at least one treatment in seven species, increased in three species, had contrasting changes in one species, and showed no effect of treatments in two species. Germination was faster in eight species, slower in one species and showed no effects of treatments in four species. Germination was significantly higher for globose species following the 70°C/10 min treatment and for columnar species under the treatment of 110°C/ 10 min; while germination time did not differ between growth forms. Seed mass did not have a significant effect on germination, and only affected germination time under the 70°C treatments, under which lighter seeds germinated faster than heavier seeds. Our results show that the studied species exhibited a high diversity of responses, with most of the species presenting tolerance to heat shock, and that under certain conditions growth form and seed mass are important traits related to species responses to heat shock treatments.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…Some of the mentioned characteristics may have adaptive value for cacti response to fire (Thomas 1991; Gurvich et al . 2015; Lindow‐López et al . 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%