Assessing and modeling seed germination of Mediterranean wildflowers for low input landscape restoration

Abstract

Native species are recommended for use in landscape restoration because they adapt well to the local pedo‐climatic conditions. Despite the high biodiversity in the Mediterranean, the use of native plants is hampered by the limited knowledge of their seed germination. This is particularly true for a number of plants which are appropriate for creating species‐rich herbaceous communities. In this study, seeds of 35 species were collected in different roadside and degraded sites in rural and urban areas. Two experiments were carried out to determine the influence of light and thermal conditions on seed germination. In the first experiment, seeds of 17 species were tested at different temperatures (5, 15, and 25°C). At 15°C, seed germination was tested under both dark and light conditions. In the second experiment, the germination of 30 species was tested under alternating temperatures (25/15°C) and dark/light conditions. The responses of the various species differed in relation to thermal levels and light conditions, e.g., Bartsia trixago did not germinate in the dark at constant temperatures (5, 15, and 25°C), while in the light (15°C) and at alternating temperatures (25/15°C) in light and dark conditions, germination was over 60%. In both experiments, Tragopogon porrifolius and Triticum ovatum showed the highest germination rate (≥88%). With the sole exception of Medicago orbicularis, all members of the Fabaceae showed no or low germination. The definition of the germination requirements of some Mediterranean species, highlighted in these experiments, provides useful information for the creation of low input green areas and environmental restoration using these species.

Germination Performances of 14 Wildflowers Screened for Shaping Urban Landscapes in Mountain Areas

“…The European Environment Agency [1] states that the 'quality of life in cities depends on the existence of sufficient attractive urban green areas for people and wildlife to thrive'. Recent research indicated that the biodiversity in green areas, both within and outside cities, should be increased by using native wildflowers [2][3][4]. These are defined as combinations of annual or perennial herbaceous wild species suitable for sowing in low maintenance areas [5][6][7][8].…”

“…These are defined as combinations of annual or perennial herbaceous wild species suitable for sowing in low maintenance areas [5][6][7][8]. The multifunctional role of wildflowers is already well-known, as they help promote biodiversity and restore habitat, requiring low-input management [3,6,[9][10][11].…”

“…Thus, herbaceous native wildflowers can rapidly colonize poor soils, reducing erosion risk, providing natural pest control and an attractive view [13]. Recent studies reported the successful use of wildflower seed mixtures in urban areas such as urban parks, roundabouts, and green roofs, but also in buffer stripes and walls for urban vertical gardens [2,3,10,14,15]. Studies on habitat restoration are also available, using wildflowers for roadside revegetation and mine rehabilitation and for improving runoff quality [10,16,17].…”

“…Studies on habitat restoration are also available, using wildflowers for roadside revegetation and mine rehabilitation and for improving runoff quality [10,16,17]. However, most of the literature investigated Mediterranean species such as Calendula arvensis L., Centaurea aplolepa Moretti, Trifolium campestre Schreb., Nigella damascena L., and Silene conica L. [2][3][4]18,19]. Until now, only a few data have been available for alpine species [16].…”

Polyphenols leaching and seed dormancy in carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) in relation to hot water treatment

“…Dormancy linked to waterproofness of the seed coat (physical dormancy according to Baskin and Baskin 2004) affects several families of angiosperms and many members of the Fabaceae family (Silveira and Fernandes 2006;Gresta Communicated by M. Horbowicz. et al 2011;Venier et al 2012;Hosseini et al 2013;Toscano et al 2017). Due to the capability to fix nitrogen (N), the Fabaceae species exert an important role within the wild plant community, but also as crops for sustainable agriculture.…”