Seed persistence in the soil under field conditions is issue for the maintenance of local plant populations and the restoration of plant communities. Saatkamp et al. compare seed survival in a burial experiment with data on various germination traits for a range of Mediterranean annual plants. Germination rate, light requirement for germination and germination in response to diurnally fluctating temperatures are found to be related to seed survival; however, survival differs according to season and this interacts with germination traits.
