Do cone age and heating mode determine the opening of serotinous cones during wildfires? A new bench scale approach applied to Pinus halepensis Mill.

Serotiny is a well-known fire adaptive trait in some species, as the Mediterranean conifer Pinus halepensis. However, information about cone opening mechanisms during wildfires and consequences on post dispersal scarce. In addition, standardized methods allowing realistic simulation of heating modes at bench-scale are not available. this study, we address for first time interacting effects radiation, convection direct flame seed release serotinous cones, following novel repeatable methodology. Using Mass Loss Calorimeter (MLC) device wide range heat exposures (between 5 75 kW m−2) with or without ignition, intended to simulate surface crown fires laboratory conditions. Additionally, included effect contrasting ages mode considering random individual variation. The proposed methodology has shown high potential complex process relation under controlled conditions, detecting threshold exposure (25–30 opening. We confirmed that had highly significant opening, age, while age its own was marginal. Particularly, ignition significantly increased efficacy release. Moreover, young old cones behave differently release, both simulations. Implementing adjusting other species will allow more reliable quantitative comparisons than previously attained.