Chapter 9 - Plant regeneration from seeds in the southern Mediterranean regions under a changing climate

Abstract

Central Chile, the Cape Region of South Africa, and southern parts of Australia make up the Mediterranean-type ecosystems of the Southern Hemisphere. All regions support global biodiversity hotspots. High conversion to agriculture, development, and other human uses makes these regions some of the most vulnerable in the world. The regions share both similarities and differences in climate, vegetation, and likely responses to global warming, but all are predicted to undergo rising temperatures and declining rainfall, resulting in fire regime change for two of the three regions. Most research on plant regeneration from seeds from a global warming perspective stems from Australia. Seed germination of some species declines at temperatures higher than currently experienced in their habitat, but many species are not affected. However, declining rainfall may delay germination, which reduces the length of the season favorable for seedling establishment. To improve the accuracy of modeling outputs, more extensive field and laboratory studies on seed regeneration are needed. Extending research into the impact of diseases and weeds on native flora under a changing climate is highly recommended.