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Reproductive allocation, seed dispersal and germination of Myricaria laxiflora, an endangered species in the Three Gorges Reservoir area

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Abstract

Myricaria laxiflora is an endangered plant that grows in the flood zone along the Yangtze River in the Three Gorges area from 70 m to 155 m above sea level. To understand the spatial distribution patterns of the species and to provide information for developing conservation strategies, we used field surveys to study its seed reproduction and dispersion, and used growth chambers to study seed germination. Results showed that M. laxiflora produced many flowering branches, inflorescences and seeds. Seeds were very small and output was high although biomass allocation to reproduction was low (∼4%). Reproductive allocation was strongly correlated with the biomass of stems and leaves. Seeds were dispersed either by the wind or the river current. Wind-dispersed seeds usually settled within 25 m from parent plants leading to a clumped distribution of individuals in populations. Water-dispersed seeds often landed and established on strands of firth where the fine sediment and gentle sloping were available. Seedlings that emerged from water-dispersed seeds were distributed along the water flood line.

The life-span of M. laxiflora seeds was about 7 days. Seeds could germinate within 24 h when they absorbed adequate amounts of water. Soil water content was a key factor limiting the establishment ability of M. laxiflora. Experiments showed that the minimum soil water content for germination to occur was 10% on sand or 17% on sandy soil substrates, and the optimal conditions were on saturated soils. The water content of sandy soils on the riverbank was lower than 10% in autumn, the dry season, and seeds were able to germinate only on sandy beaches that were intermittently inundated by the fluctuating river current. These characteristics of seed dispersal and germination limit the ability for M. laxiflora to expand its distribution. These results provide information essential for the conservation and reintroduction of this endangered species.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Ke-Ping Ma, Dr. Ruth E. Sherman and Dr. Zheng-Qing Li for their helpful comments on this manuscript. The Three Gorge Project Construction Committee of the State Council provided fund for this research. Two anonymous referees gave us very interesting comments to the final improvement of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Laboratory of Quantitative Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100093, P.R. China

    Fang-Qing Chen & Zong-Qiang Xie

  2. Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100049, P.R. China

    Fang-Qing Chen

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  1. Fang-Qing Chen
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  2. Zong-Qiang Xie
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Correspondence to Zong-Qiang Xie.

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Chen, FQ., Xie, ZQ. Reproductive allocation, seed dispersal and germination of Myricaria laxiflora, an endangered species in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. Plant Ecol 191, 67–75 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-006-9214-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-006-9214-4

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