Seed Size of Taiwan Flora and Its Relationship to Environmental Conditions

• Main Authors: Chia-Ching Hung, 洪家卿
• Other Authors: Chang-Fu Hsieh
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/21904036049045970097

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 生態學與演化生物學研究所 === 99 === Seed size is an important plant life history trait, determining seed dispersal ability and seedling establishment. Particularly in stress (shaded, dry) or with higher competition pressure, larger seed species with much reserve can have a higher establishment success. Therefore, seed size of plant is predictably under different stress conditions. In addition to environmental stress, the constant trends among seed size in plant growth forms and dispersal modes need to be considered. Taiwan is located between tropical and subtropical areas, and contains almost all types of habitats in the world. Heterogeneous environment creates extraordinary biodiversity. It is suitable for verifying the distribution hypothesis about plant life history characteristics and environmental factors. To date there no relevant research in Taiwan. Therefore, I compiled a dataset of life history traits of angiosperms in Taiwan trough literatures survey. This information included seed size, seed dispersal syndrome, and life form. As for species distribution and plant community composition, I used the data from National Vegetation Survey and Mapping Program in Taiwan. The study showed the significant difference between growth forms and dispersal modes. Among species, those with larger body or fleshy fruit tend to have larger seed. Temperature is most important climatic factors affect performance of community seed size. Temperature is the main factor of seed size variation along altitude and latitude. In the warm, humid subtropical island regions, rainfall and solar radiation have little effect on variation of plant seed size.