Two decades of climate change alters seed longevity in an alpine herb: implications for ex situ seed conservation

Abstract Climate warming in mountain areas is increasing faster than the global average, threatening alpine plants. affects many traits including seeds, longevity of which important for conservation, facilitating genebank storage. Seeds species are considered short-lived storage, but their increases when produced under a warmer parental environment. Consequently, with climate warming, seeds may have increased fitness and be longer-lived We assessed seed artificial ageing 10 accessions arctic-alpine Viscaria alpina stored conditions different time periods over last 20 years. The collection site was northern Apennines, where above average variable precipitation has been recorded. taken viability to fall 50% ( p 50 ) estimated using probit analysis; correlation general linear regression were used investigate effects length mass on longevity. varied between 7.77 18.49 days. There no relationship storage or higher years temperature lower during growing season, having more impact temperature. results suggest that suitable inter-annual variation induces plastic response Using provides insights into how respond future changes could implications