Role of Fire in Regeneration from Seed

Fire is a disturbance factor in ecosystems worldwide and affects the reproduction of many plant species. For some species, it is just one of several disturbances that trigger seed germination and subsequent seedling recruitment, whereas in other ‘fire-dependent’ species, fire may be required for seedling recruitment. Fire may trigger seed regeneration directly, through the opening of serotinous fruits or cones or by inducing the germination of dormant soil-stored seed banks. Fire may also indirectly initiate seedling recruitment by opening gaps in closed vegetation, thus providing conditions suitable for colonization. There is a multitude of mechanisms for capitalizing upon such disturbances and the particular mode is a function of fire regime, climate, growth form, phylogeny and biogeography.