Germination and Population Dynamics of Cistus Species in Relation to Fire

Abstract

1. The shrubs Cistus monspeliensis and C. albidus are obligate seeders which are often dominant in Mediterranean habitats degraded by recurrent fires. 2. To determine the role of fire in the regulation of the population dynamics of these species, the germination requirements and population age-structure have been examined for populations in the South of France. 3. Germination of both species was enhanced by a change in light quality (red/farred ratio) similar to that which occurs when fire removes the light-filtering green leaves, but to a lesser extent than by a heat pretreatment designed to simulate fire temperatures