Light-dependent associations of germination timing with subsequent life-history traits and maternal habitats for 476 angiosperm species of the eastern Tibetan Plateau grasslands

Germination timing is a key transition of life history. It not only links subsequent life-history traits, such as plant height and flowering time, but also provides a link to the previous generation through the influence of the maternal environment. Environmental factors may mediate these key links, and consequences of this process may influence species regeneration and dispersal. However, little is known about how environmental factors mediate these key links. Here, germination timing under high (natural light) and low light treatments was estimated for 476 angiosperm species of the eastern Tibetan Plateau grasslands. Furthermore, we used standard (std) and phylogenetic (phy) comparative methods to test if germination timing was associated with plant height, flowering time and maternal habitats under both light treatments. Germination timing was positively correlated with plant height only in low light in std-methods. Germination timing was associated with onset of flowering in both light treatments in std-methods, but only in low light when using phy-methods. Germination timing was positively correlated with elevation only in low light when using both comparative methods. Germination timing was correlated with water in maternal habitat only in high light when using both comparative methods. Germination timing was associated with light in maternal habitat in both light treatments in std-methods, but only in high light when using phy-methods. In summary, light-dependent associations of germination timing with subsequent life-history traits and maternal habitats may influence the probability of plant species life-cycle completion and influence distribution and dispersal of plant species in natural plant communities.