基于PSR框架的内蒙古自治区沙漠化敏感性评估

沙漠化敏感性是测度区域沙漠化可能性的关键指标。鉴于沙漠化敏感性研究“重评价、缺框架”、“重格局、轻变化”的研究现状,本文基于“压力—状态—响应”(Pressure-State-Response, PSR)分析框架,构建了“气候条件—地表覆盖—植被恢复”沙漠化敏感性综合评价指标体系,定量评估了2000、2015年内蒙古自治区(除流动沙地(丘)外)沙漠化敏感性,结合县域人口密度开展了区域沙漠化防治分区。研究结果表明：2015年研究区以中度敏感区为主(27.04%),其次为轻度敏感区(25.53%)、不敏感区(22.96%)和高度敏感区(20.82%),极敏感区占比最小(3.65%),沙漠化敏感性呈现出中西部高、东部低的空间格局;2000-2015年间,内蒙古自治区9.20%的土地沙漠化敏感性等级降低,24.83%则趋于增强。研究区可划分为生态保育区、沙化治理区、综合发展区和生态移民区四大沙漠化防治区。     

渤海滩涂湿地沉积物胶体对石油污染物的吸附特征

为了研究滩涂湿地沉积物胶体对石油污染物的吸附作用,根据渤海天津段滩涂湿地沉积物的结构和组成,选择代表性沉积物提取胶体,对胶体的粒径、ζ电位、电泳淌度进行了表征,系统测定胶体对可溶性油吸附的动力学曲线和吸附等温线。结果表明,滩涂湿地沉积物胶体平均粒径为345.04nm;ζ电位、淌度中值分别为-0.47mV、-0.03μs-1V-1cm;交换吸附动力学模式适用于滩涂沉积物胶体对可溶性油的吸附作用,其吸附平衡时间约为20~24h,胶体对可溶性油吸附速率常数为9.434L/(g·h);胶体对可溶性油的等温吸附线为直线型,当水相中石油烃浓度低于某一值时,胶体不但不吸附溶液中的石油烃,反而使胶体中的残留石油烃释放出来。     

浸种温度对红芪(Hedysarum polybotrys)种子发芽的影响

采用初始温度不同的水浸红芪(Hedysarum polybotrys)种荚12h,然后发芽,以不浸种为对照,旨在探寻提高种子发芽质量的预处理方法,为规范化生产提供科学依据。结果表明:红芪种子发芽率进程符合Logistic方程,浸种荚对红芪种子发芽特性具有极显著影响。与对照比较,在20~80℃的水中自然冷却浸种12h均不同程度改善了种子发芽特性。随水温的提高,种子发芽质量先提高后下降;当水温为60℃时发芽质量最佳,发芽率、发芽势和发芽指数分别达80.7%、34.7%和4.994,较对照发芽率34.7%、发芽势4.0%和发芽指数1.865分别增加46.0%、30.7%和3.128;但当水温达80℃时,发芽质量出现下降趋势,但仍显著高于对照和20℃水浸处理的水平。60℃热水浸种12h可软化红芪种荚,增强种子吸水吸胀能力,并稀释降低发芽抑制物,有效提高种子出苗质量和育苗成效。水浸种预处理还可有效精选种子,但经浸种后的种子需拌土小心播种,严防机械损伤。     

科尔沁沙地沙漠化过程中土壤有机碳含量变化特征及影响因素北大核心CSCD

科尔沁沙地是中国半干旱地区沙漠化发展的典型地区和沙漠化防治的重点区域。本研究以科尔沁沙地为研究区域,以沙漠化逆转不同阶段的沙地为研究对象,通过野外调查和室内分析,采用空间代替时间的方法,在区域尺度上探讨了土壤有机碳对沙漠化过程的响应规律,并结合气候、植被和地形因子阐释了该区域土壤有机碳空间变异的主导因素。结果表明:(1)土壤有机碳含量随沙漠化程度的加剧表现出疏林草地(未沙漠化)>固定沙地(轻度沙漠化)>半固定沙地(中度沙漠化)>半流动沙地(重度沙漠化)>流动沙地(极重度沙漠化)。(2)固定沙地、半固定沙地、半流动沙地和流动沙地土壤有机碳密度分别比疏林草地降低了29.1%、49.3%、62.9%和84.1%。(3)随着沙漠化的发展,土壤质地发生粗化现象,即中、细砂粒含量明显增加,而土壤细颗粒(极细砂和黏粉粒)含量明显下降。(4)科尔沁沙地沙漠化过程中,土壤黏粉粒的损失是土壤粗化、有机碳含量下降的主要原因,而pH的变化受沙漠化影响较小。(5)气候因子是导致SOC含量受经纬度影响的主要因素,而地形因子的影响次之。     

中国北方沙漠化现状及发展趋势

通过研究,对中国北方沙漠化的现状及趋势得出如下结论:(1)中国北方沙漠化土地的面积为33.4万平方公里,其中已经沙漠化了的土地为17.6万平方公里,潜在沙漠化土地为15.8万平方公里。在已经沙漠化的土地中,属于沙质草原沙漠化发展的土地占42.2%,固定沙丘活化的占52.2%,沙丘前移入侵的占5.5%。(2)按其成因来看,以草原过度农垦为主的占25.4%,以过度放牧为主的占28.3%,以过度樵柴为主的占31.8%,其他则系水资源利用不当和工矿交通建设破坏植被所形成,风力作用下沙丘前移所形成的沙漠化土地仅占5.5%,可见在沙质地表和干旱多风气候条件下沙漠化发展的主要因素是人为作用,因此,调整现有土地利用结构,合理利用资源便是防止沙漠化发展的基本途径.(3)从沙漠化发展程度来看,在已经沙漠化的土地中严重沙漠化土地占19.3%,强烈发展中的沙漠化土地占34.7%,正在发展中的沙漠化土地占46.0%。特别是农牧交错的草原农垦区沙漠化的发展大部分是在50年代以来所形成,更应引起注意.(4)从发展趋势来看,根据50年代末与70年代末航空相片的对比分析,25年来沙漠化土地增加了3.9万平方公里,平均每年扩大1,560平方公里,这些扩大的土地是沙质草原的农垦和固定沙地农垦、樵采及过牧所引起的沙丘活化。     

毛乌素沙地土地沙漠化评价

基于遥感监测反演数据,以多等级土地沙漠化转化度为评价指标,研究构建了毛乌素沙地土地沙漠化转化度模型,并对20世纪80年代末到90年代末期间毛乌素土地沙漠化转化情况和转化机理进行了系统评价和分析。评价发现,毛乌素沙地土地沙漠化情况为:东部区沙漠化发展的转化度为12.113%,逆转的转化度为9.639%,所以该区沙漠化呈现加重的态势;中部区沙漠化发展的转化度为14.551%,逆转的转化度为18.954%,但强烈发展所占比例较大,可见该区土地沙漠化呈现面积缩小、程度加重的特点;西部区沙漠化发展的转化度为8.731%,逆转的转化度为7.298%,说明该区土地沙漠化发展略大于逆转,沙漠化面积扩大,但分析发现该区重度、极重度沙漠化土地逆转的转化度很高,总和为6.483%,约为发展转化度总和的两倍,所以该区土地沙漠化程度整体减轻。     

黄河流域沙漠化空间格局与成因

黄河流域地势西高东低,自西向东有青藏高原、内蒙古高原、黄土高原和黄淮海平原4个地貌单元,总面积为79.6万km²。黄河流域是中国重要的生态屏障和重要经济带,黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展已上升为国家战略。沙漠化是中国北方干旱、半干旱以及部分半湿润地区主要的土地退化形式,沙漠化对黄河流域,尤其是流域中、上游地区的影响较大。为了全面掌握黄河流域的沙漠化土地空间分布特征,本研究以Landsat遥感影像为数据源,通过地理信息系统（GIS）技术,获得了黄河流域2010年的沙漠化土地分布数据。结果表明：黄河流域内沙漠化土地面积为128 667 km²,占流域总面积的16.2%;黄河上游的沙漠化土地面积最大,然后依次是黄河中游、黄河源区、黄河下游,沙漠化土地面积分别为89 341、21 426、17 894、7 km²,分别占全流域沙漠化土地总面积的69.4%、16.7%、13.9%、0.01%。黄河流域的沙漠化土地绝大部分分布于内蒙古,其沙漠化土地面积为91 398 km²,占全流域沙漠化土地面积的71.0%;其次是青海,沙漠化土地面积为17 432 km²,占全流域沙漠化土地面积的13.5%;陕西和宁夏的沙漠化土地面积分别占全流域沙漠化土地面积的8.3%和6.5%。黄河流域的沙漠化空间格局主要是降水量与沙源空间耦合的结果,流域92.6%（119 114 km²）的沙漠化土地分布于干旱、半干旱地区。从20世纪70年代以来,黄河流域的沙漠化总体上经历了快速发展—发展放缓—明显逆转的过程,沙漠化大幅度的变化主要受人类活动影响所致,在过去几十年间风速持续减小对沙漠化逆转的积极作用也应引起重视。     

黄河源区土地沙漠化时空变化遥感分析

通过野外调查与室内分析, 建立了黄河源区沙漠化土地分类分级系统。在此基础上, 通过遥感数据处理与参数反演, 建立了沙漠化遥感监测指数模型, 并利用1986~2000 年 Landsat-TM/ETM+ 遥感数据, 对近15 年来黄河源区土地沙漠化过程进行了定量分析与评价。 研究结果表明, 黄河源区沙漠化土地面积达3519.97 km², 其中以轻度沙漠化土地为主。沙漠 化土地集中分布在玛多宽谷盆地南缘与黑河宽谷盆地北缘之间, 沿西北-东南走向的低山丘 陵展布, 分布于河谷, 湖滨、古河道及山麓洪积扇等地形面上, 呈斑块状、片状和带状分布。 1986~1990 年黄河源区沙漠化土地年增长率为21.87%, 沙漠化土地的变化表现为沙漠化土地 快速蔓延。1990~2000 年沙漠化土地年扩展率为2.73%, 虽然沙漠化扩展速率降低, 但在进一 步扩展的同时, 主要表现为沙漠化程度的进一步加重。总之, 20 世纪80 年代末期以来, 黄 河源区沙漠化过程呈现为正在发展和强烈发展的态势。但在不同时段上沙漠化发展呈现出不 同的特征, 80 年代末沙漠化土地增长率高, 沙漠化过程表现为沙漠化土地的迅速蔓延; 进入 90 年代沙漠化土地增长相对减缓, 但中度沙漠化土地则保持直线增长的趋势, 呈现出以沙漠 化程度的加重为主的发展趋势。     

青海贵南草原沙漠化影响因子的贡献率

影响因子贡献率是目前沙漠化研究的焦点之一,诸因子对沙漠化发展的贡献和对沙漠化现状的贡献是这一科学问题的两个方面。利用风洞模拟实验和¹³⁷Cs示踪技术,建立了青海贵南现代草原沙漠化多因子方程,分别区分了该区风速变化、植被变化、牲畜践踏(滥牧)、樵采破坏(滥樵)和草地开垦(滥垦)等五个主要影响因子对沙漠化现状及其发展的贡献率。结果表明,牲畜践踏、樵采活动和草地开垦对沙漠化发展的贡献率分别为54.78%、4.66%和40.56%,人类不合理经济活动是近40a来沙漠化发展的根本原因。平均侵蚀风速变化很小,对沙漠化发展的贡献率为零。植被盖度的变化对沙漠化发展具有显著的贡献,但在近几十年来气候变化尚不足于对植被盖度造成明显影响的前提下,对沙漠化的影响作用被进一步归结为人文因子的贡献。沙漠化现状是在自然沙漠化过程的基础上人类不合理经济活动进一步叠加的结果,自然因子和人文因子对当前沙漠化现状的贡献率分别为27.8%和72.2%,人文因子中牲畜践踏、樵采活动和草地开垦对沙漠化现状的贡献率分别为39.55%、3.37%和29.28%。沙漠化影响因子的贡献率因时、因地而异。     

不同改良措施对退化羊草（Leymus chinensis）草原的影响

 对1983年通过不同改良措施（播种羊草、耙地、围栏封育）处理过的退化羊草草原群落特征进行比较研究,结果表明：虽然经过23 a的恢复,土壤条件仍有差别,经过耙地处理土壤容重最小,含水量最高;三种改良措施的增产效果都很明显,播种羊草、耙地、围栏封育的群落地上生物量比围栏外分别提高了127.30%、146.64%、138.04%;播种羊草和耙地处理的根茎禾草所占比例较高,而围栏外和围栏封育处理的丛生禾草所占的比例较高;三种改良措施中,旱生植物的绝对生物量都低于围栏外;耙地处理后群落多样性最高,而围栏外均匀性指数最高。综上所述：经过耙地改良所产生的效果维持时间最长,而播种羊草和围栏封育改良的后效依然存在。     

Pre- and post-dispersal seed loss and soil seed dynamics of the dominant Bulnesia retama (Zygophyllaceae) shrub in a sandy Monte desert of western Argentina

In deserts and semi-deserts dominant plants seldom rely on a persistent seed bank to ensure their recruitment from sexual reproduction, which is generally based on the seeds produced in the last reproductive event. We studied pre- and post-dispersal seed loss of Bulnesia retama, a dominant shrub of the sandy Monte deserts (western Argentina). We hypothesised that pre- and post-dispersal seed depletion in B. retama regulate soil seed density and in turn decrease soil seed reserves. We also hypothesised that spatial patches induced by standing vegetation and other microsites additionally affect post-dispersal seed loss and soil seed density.We observed that as much as half the total seed production was lost due to pre-dispersal seed predation. Seed dispersal plus predation showed a negative exponential function with 61% of seeds falling during the first 28 days, and 99% after 90 days, when 34% of the seeds remained inside excluded branches. A significant patch effect was observed on soil seed density and seed dynamics, with a greater number of seeds and increased seed depletion rates below B. retama shrubs. However, spatial patches did not affect seed germination although they increased with burial time, from 22% to 70% after 75 and 276 days, respectively. Likewise, a similar trend was found in potential seed germination; seeds collected directly from mother plants had a low germination rate (less than 25%), which increased to 75% after 276 days of soil burial. About 15% of the dispersed seeds should persist to the next rainy season, thus contributing to a low-density but persistent seed bank.The delay in seed germination and temporal decrease in soil seed density that we observed for B. retama suggest that a set of mechanisms have been developed promoting germination events whenever soil water is available, at any moment of the year.     

Germination of Denmoza rhodacantha (Salm-Dyck) Britton & Rose (Cactaceae)

The germination response of Denmoza rhodacantha (Salm-Dyck) Britton & Rose to seed scarification and different calcium concentrations was analysed. Both scarified and unscarified seeds were treated with two different calcium concentrations (1.74 or 6.36 meq l⁻¹ calcium sulfate in distilled water). All treatments were conducted under a constant temperature (30 °C), and a photoperiodic regime of 12 h light and 12 h dark. Germination was initiated significantly sooner (3.6 days), and the rate of final germination was significantly higher (90.8%), for scarified seeds treated with a solution of 6.36 meq l⁻¹ Ca compared with all other treatments (9.0–11.4 days and 3.6–6.8%, respectively). There were no significant differences among the treatments for the time in which 50% of final germination occurred (6.9–13.6 days). The results suggest that both factors, scarification and calcium concentration, favor germination of Denmoza seeds.     

种子预处理对唐古特白刺出苗和幼苗生长的影响

 采用不同方法对唐古特白刺种子预处理,以不处理为对照,再行60 ℃浸种24 h后育苗,通过测定出苗动态和生长指标,探寻促进白刺种子出苗和幼苗生长的技术途径。结果表明,唐古特白刺种子出苗率变化动态均呈“S”型曲线,符合Logistic曲线方程,出苗质量随种子处理不同而异,出苗期为38～55 d,极限出苗率为30.2%～57.8%。沙搓和沙碾均可显著提高白刺种子出苗质量,为培育壮苗奠定良好基础,出苗率较对照分别提高15.6%和13.4%,出苗势分别提高60.1%和6.9%,出苗指数分别提高35.2%和13.2%,活力指数分别提高41.5%和23.3%。尤其沙搓种子出苗集中,较对照缩短5 d。而掐尖、20%醋酸和5%碱水浸泡均抑制发芽。将种子与沙子混合后手搓和棍碾压均可破坏白刺种子坚硬致密的内果皮结构,破除休眠,促进出苗和幼苗生长,但需注意的是沙碾操作不当会造成种子内部结构被破坏。     

昆虫寄生对柠条种子命运的影响

在腾格里沙漠东南缘荒漠草原区研究了昆虫寄生对柠条种子命运的影响, 结果表明:①种子库的虫寄生率高达69.7％,寄生性昆虫为柠条豆象(Kytorrhinus immxitus Motschulsky),柠条坚荚螟(Etiella zinckenella Treitschke),柠条种子小蜂(Bruchophagus neocaragae Liao),刺槐种子小蜂(Bruchophagus philorobinae Sphov);②整个种子库的发芽率为38.35%, 无虫寄生的种子的发芽率为88.6%,柠条豆象寄生完全阻断种子的发芽率; 种子小蜂类和柠条坚荚螟取食寄生的种子发芽率分别为19.2%和5.3%。③完好的种子和不同昆虫寄生的种子之间长度、宽度和重量之间有显著的差异。和正常种子相比较,柠条豆象寄生引起种子体积增大; 柠条坚荚螟和种子小蜂寄生均使种子体积减小; 柠条豆象、柠条坚荚螟和种子小蜂寄生引起种子的重量损耗分别为57.64%,49.13%和39.30%。结果证明昆虫寄生对种子的命运有重要影响,是影响种群更新的关键因素之一。     

Seed germination of five Helianthemum species: Effect of temperature and presowing treatments

The germination behaviour of five Helianthemum species (H. almeriense, H. appeninum, H. cinereum, H. hirtum, H. squamatum) has been studied under controlled conditions. Constant 15, 20 or 25 °C and alternating 25/15 °C temperature regimes and 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod conditions were used. Presowing treatments applied were manual scarification, boiling water, hot water, dry heat and sulphuric acid. Germination values recorded were final germination percentage and germination rate expressed as days to reach 50% of the final germination percentage (T₅₀). Incubation temperature had no significant effect on final germination percentage for untreated seeds of the five Helianthemum species. However, variation due to temperature was significant for scarified seeds, with the lowest germination percentage attained at 25 °C. In all Helianthemum species studied, the highest germination percentages were obtained by manual scarification of seeds. Germination rate of scarified seeds decreased as germination temperature increased. The different presowing treatments investigated allowed some germination in some species, but none were any better than manual scarification. The high germination among most species studied, following mechanical rupture of the seed coat, shows that the mechanism of dormancy lies in the seed coat. The physical dormancy caused by impermeable seed-coat appears to be the main reason of poor germination of untreated seeds of Helianthemum species studied.     

沙柳有性繁殖与关键环境因素的关系研究

沙柳种子的萌发受到多个因素的综合作用。在沙土含水量较低时沙柳种子可以萌发,但沙土含水量低于2%时不能萌发;干旱胁迫使沙柳实生苗发芽率降低;盐分可明显抑制沙柳种子萌发,同时抑制沙柳实生苗的茎生长;沙柳种子适宜的覆沙厚度是1.0～4.0 mm,当覆沙达到7 mm时种子出苗受到抑制;沙柳最适宜的发芽温度是25 ℃,当温度升到40 ℃时发芽率明显下降,而当降到10 ℃时种子发芽率也明显下降,达到5 ℃时沙柳种子尽管能发芽,但无茎生长。     

超干处理与保存温度对黄花补血草种子的影响

 采用室温硅胶干燥法超干处理黄花补血草(Limonium aureum）种子,将种子含水量由8.92%分别降至 4.67%、3.54%、2.88%和 1.24%,在室温和5 ℃条件下保存12个月后,测定不同含水量超干种子经缓湿处理后的活力指标变化。试验结果表明:适度超干处理的黄花补血草种子在发芽率、发芽指数及活力指数等几项指标上均高于未超干处理的对照种子,不同含水量的超干种子相对电导率低于对照,脱氢酶活性高于对照,丙二醛含量也低于对照处理种子。在试验中种子含水量不低于3.54%时,超干处理对种子的发芽率、发芽指数和活力指数没有影响。通过对电导率、脱氢酶活性和丙二醛含量的研究表明,适度超干处理对种子细胞膜的完整性没有破坏,相反,可以使黄花补血草种子保持较高的活力,因此,利用超干技术保存黄花补血草种子是一种较为理想的种子保存方法。     

Seed and Fruiting Phenology Plasticity and Offspring Seed Germination Rate in Two Asteraceae Herbs Growing in Karst Soils with Varying Thickness and Water Availability

Shallow soil with low water availability is the key limiting factor for plant growth and reproduction in vulnerable karst regions. Annual herbs are pioneers adapted to these areas; however, little is known about the responses of their seeds and infructescence, and the germination of their offspring to these limited water and soil resources. In this study, we investigated how the seed and fruiting phenology plasticity and offspring seed germination rates of two annual Asteraceae herbs (Xanthium sibiricum and Bidens pilosa) respond to the harsh karst soil environment, by assessing the seed number, seed biomass and offspring seed germination rate. X. sibiricum and B. pilosa were grown under three soil thicknesses and three water availability levels in a full two-way randomized block design. The key results were as follows: (1) The number and biomass of progenies (infructescence and seeds) of X. sibiricum decreased with the decline of soil thickness and/or water availability (P <0.05). The infructescence and seed biomass of B. pilosa increased with the decline of water availability. (2) Seed quantity and seed biomass of X. sibiricum showed no correlation after their parents experienced resource reductions. A significant positive relationship between seed number and seed biomass was observed in B. pilosa (P <0.05). (3) The offspring seed germination rate of X. sibiricum did not change with the decrease of soil thickness under three levels of water treatment. However, the offspring seed germination rate of B. pilosa decreased significantly with the decrease of soil thickness under the control water level (P<0.05). The results show that X. sibiricum tends to improve its competitiveness by ensuring the quantity and quality of offspring in order to adapt to the shallow karst soils and dry karst habitats. In contrast, B. pilosa adapts to the unfavorable karst habitats by a risk-sharing strategy. B. pilosa produces more and bigger seeds to in an attempt to expand its survival range and escape from the unfavorable living environment, but this results in a lower seed number and germination rate of its progeny under the karst soil resource reduction.     

水盐胁迫对花花柴种子萌发的影响

 水盐胁迫直接影响盐生植物的种子萌发,本研究通过对盐生植物花花柴种子带冠毛与否及不同胁迫处理下种子萌发率的比较分析,探讨花花柴种子萌发期的耐盐特性。对花花柴带冠毛和不带冠毛种子在蒸馏水中的对比萌发结果表明,冠毛对花花柴种子的最终萌发率无影响,但明显延长种子的萌发时间,可能与阻碍种子吸水有关。花花柴种子经过冷处理,成熟的种子没有出现生理休眠现象,有利于种子在条件适宜时迅速起始萌发。采用不同浓度NaCl和等渗的PEG6000 (聚乙二醇) 处理花花柴种子,结果表明：①NaCl和PEG胁迫对花花柴种子的萌发具有非常明显的抑制作用,主要表现为降低种子的萌发率,延长种子的萌发时间,抑制胚根和胚芽的生长;②NaCl对花花柴种子萌发的抑制作用明显地大于等渗的PEG,说明离子胁迫是影响花花柴种子萌发的主要因素;③花花柴种子萌发的耐盐临界值为213 mM,极限值为340 mM;④低浓度的NaCl溶液（50 mM）不影响花花柴种子的萌发和胚芽的生长,表明花花柴种子适宜在低盐条件下萌发;⑤盐胁迫下未萌发种子的复水实验结果表明,高盐处理后未萌发的种子具有较高的复萌率,但各处理下种子最终萌发率没有显著差异,表明高盐能使种子休眠,但种子的活力仍能保持,有利于种群的维持。     

Germination ofAcacia origena,A. pilispinaandPterolobium stellatumin response to different pre-sowing seed treatments, temperature and light

Seeds ofAcacia origena,A. pilispinaandPterolobium stellatumhave a hard seed coat that hampers imbibition of water and prevents maximum, uniform and rapid germination. Therefore, the seeds were subjected to different treatments involving mechanical scarification, concentrated sulphuric acid and boiling water to break the dormancy imposed by the hard seed coat. To determine the effects of different constant temperature regimes on germination, scarified seeds were incubated on a thermogradient at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Germination of scarified seeds was also tested in light and dark. Mechanical scarification resulted in 100% germination for theAcaciaspecies and 94% forP. stellatum. ForA. origena, sulphuric acid treatments for 60, 90 and 120 min resulted in significantly higher per cent germination (>95%) than all the other treatments. ForA. pilispina, sulphuric acid treatments for 45 and 60 min, as well as immersing seeds for 1 min in hot water, gave significantly higher per cent germination (97%) than all the other treatments. ForP. stellatum, mechanical scarification and all the acid treatments applied resulted in significantly higher per cent germination (>85%) than the control and all hot water treatments. All seeds ofP. stellatumimmersed in hot water, even for 1 min, rotted soon after sowing, indicating that they are sensitive to high temperatures. Scarified seeds of the twoAcaciaspecies germinated to a higher degree (≥90%) between 10 and 30°C, while germination of scarified seeds ofP. stellatumranged from 48 to 82% between 10 and 30°C. Scarified seeds of the three species germinated to a large extent (>70%) both in light and dark, indicating that seeds do not require light for germination.