A new study led by researchers from Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and Deakin University has uncovered alpine species may be more vulnerable to climate change as their seeds rely on specific temperature cues and seasonal signals to germinate.
The team examined seeds from 21 Australian plant species, including Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. acerina (Alpine Snow Gum), Callistemon kenmorrisonii (Betka bottlebrush), Brachyscome decipiens (common alpine daisy), collected across a dramatic elevation range, from near sea level to alpine regions.
The study found alpine varieties are most at risk of extinction as a result of evolutionary seed germination traits.
