Thermally primed Zostera muelleri seeds exhibit higher germination rates
than those from ambient conditions
Abstract
Seagrasses provide critical ecosystem services such as carbon
sequestration, sediment stabilisation and nursery habitat for juvenile
fish. Zostera muelleri is ubiquitous within Australian and New Zealand
estuaries however as a species is relatively understudied. We sourced
seeds from a thermally-affected east Australian estuary and investigated
if germination rates differed between ambient and thermally affected
seeds over a variety of temperatures (16°C, - 28°C) to determine how
seagrass systems might react in a warming climate. Germination for the
experiment was low and totalled 5% of all seeds however similar numbers
are typical in seed germination studies. Germination was highest at 16°C
and was enhanced through the simulation of a 48-hour freshwater pulse.
Thermally affected sites germinated faster and had greater mean maximum
germination when compared to control sites regardless of experimental
temperature. These findings indicate that Zostera muelleri in this
system may be exhibiting transgenerational plasticity due to the thermal
stress the parent experiences. This result provides an alternate
viewpoint to current literature by suggesting that unknown
transgenerational effects may provide Z. muelleri with greater
germination plasticity against temperatures expected under predicted
climate change scenarios than previously expected.