Germination biologies and seedbank dynamics of Acacia shrubs in the Western Desert: implications for fire season impacts on recruitment

Abstract

In arid Australia, fires in different seasons often result in markedly different recruitment rates of woody plants, and this can have important and long-lasting impacts on post-fire community structure and composition. The current study investigated ecological mechanisms behind this effect in four widespread arid Acacia species: Acacia aptaneura, Maslin & J.E.Reid Acacia kempeana F.Muell., Acacia maitlandii F.Muell. and Acacia melleodora Pedley. Specifically, the study examined whether increased recruitment after summer compared with winter burning relates to (1) higher soil temperatures during summer fires having increased capacity to overcome dormancy of seeds with heat-stimulated germination; (2) warmer soil temperature conditions after summer fires providing more favourable incubation temperatures for germination; and/or (3) summer fires coinciding with seasonal fluxes in seedbank densities, which may occur in response to granivory and/or rapid rates of seed deterioration after dispersal. Results supported hypotheses (1) and (2), as germination of all species responded positively to heat shock and warmer incubation temperatures. Some support was also demonstrated for hypothesis (3), as seedbank densities were shown to fluctuate seasonally, most likely in response to strong granivory. This multi-species study provides insights into mechanisms behind enhanced shrub recruitment after arid zone summer fires; and reinforces the notion that season of burn can be a strong determinant of regeneration trajectories of woody plants after fire.