Chapter 6 - Effect of climate change on plant regeneration from seeds in steppes and semideserts of northern China

Abstract

Northern China has been experiencing a warming trend and increasing temperature extremes over the past century, and will continue to do so into the new millennium. The projected climate change is likely to have profound effects on recruitment of plants and subsequent population dynamics that will affect community dynamics in this region. Studies in northern China have shown that seed dormancy and germination of species are highly responsive to global change drivers, including warming and changes in precipitation patterns, atmospheric N deposition, and soil salt concentration. Also, climate change is likely to affect plant regeneration from seeds in natural populations through maternal effects, but these effects can vary depending on the species. Therefore future climate change in northern China is likely to have a significant effect on regeneration from seeds through regulating seed dormancy break and germination and thus changing the timing of germination of species in the local community. In addition, these changes could result in modifications in plant community composition and relative abundance of various species in the natural habitats. Future directions for studies on the impacts of climate change on plant regeneration from seeds are suggested.