Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Award Date
2025
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Natural Resource Management
First Advisor
Lora Perkins
Abstract
Grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet, and they provide a variety of important ecosystem services that people rely on. Losses of grasslands can be mitigated through restoration. Seed-based restoration is a regularly used practice due to its practicality and cost-effectiveness. Planting non-local seed that may not be suitable for its destination environment can have consequences in plant establishment and subsequent restoration success. This experiment tested the response (final germination and germination rate) of seed from 11 perennial tallgrass species sourced from 3 different locations to different germination temperature conditions. Seeds from three sources of each species were exposed to different temperature treatments (cool, intermediate, and warm) and germination was tracked over 42 days. Dependent variables of final germination and germination rate were significantly impacted by the source by temperature interaction for seven and six species respectively. Final germination and germination rate for all other species were significantly impacted by main effects of source or temperature, but not the interaction. The majority (nine out of 11) of the species tested displayed at least one type of interaction between source and environment on germination indicating potential for local adaptation. If the potential for local adaptation leads to a home site advantage where non-local seeds perform more poorly than local seed, restoration practitioners may need to select seed sources carefully. However, restoration practitioners might be able to take advantage of species such as Helenium autumnale and Sorghastrum nutans, because they did not exhibit signs of potential local adaptation (no significant source by environment interaction) by planting them at wider ranges. This study has implications for helping land managers make informed restoration decisions.
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Clark, Brandon, "Testing the Effect of Source and Environment on Native Seed Germination to Inform Seed-Based Restoration of Grasslands" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1505.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd2/1505
Included in
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Plant Sciences Commons
Rights Statement
