The influence of morphological and physiological seed traits on oceanic dispersal and germination in saline coastal environments

Abstract

This thesis investigates the morphological and physiological seed traits that influence the capacity of coastal plant seeds to be dispersed by the ocean and germinate in post-dispersal environments. A series of multidisciplinary experiments that examine the ecology, biology and physiology of coastal seeds are presented. The high buoyancy and broad germination thresholds of the tested species indicate that they have a capacity for oceanic dispersal.