Abstract

This study determined germination responses of 19 species, including trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs, under natural gap and non-gap conditions, in a secondary forest in Chiloé Island, southern Chile, in order to assess if there is any association between the habitat where the seedlings of these plant species occur and their germination requirements. Statistical differences in percentage seed germination were detected in six species in a gap habitat compared to the understory. Five forest edge species (Embothrium coccineum, Escallonia rubra, Gunnera tinctoria, Nertera granadensis and Rhaphithamnus spinosus) presented greater germination success in the canopy gap, while only one forest interior species (Myrceugenia planipes) germinated to a lesser extent in the gap. Percentages of seed germination were not statistically different between the two habitats neither in the remaining 10 edge species (Gaultheria mucronata, Luma apiculata, Myrceugenia parvifolia, Tepualia stipularis, among others) nor in the 3 forest interior species studied (Luzuriaga radicans, Mitraria coccinea, and Myrceugenia ovata var. ovata). Thus, there is no strong evidence of any association between the habitats where seedlings of these plant species grow and their germination requirement.