Seeds represent an intergenerational life stage in which parent plants transfer genetic material in the evolutionary hope of long term persistence, but not all seeds create successful progeny. Genetic diversity and inbreeding can impact seed quantity and quality - effects often overlooked in studies that focus solely on extant populations. For small and isolated populations which are more likely to lose genetic diversity and display inbreeding, and for rare species in particular, the seed stage can be highly influential for population growth or decline. In this study, we will set up germination trials for seeds collected from 12 populations of Synthyris bullii. These populations represent a size gradient from as small as 30 to as many as 2000 individuals. I already have and am working with genetic data, so we will assess the relationship between population size and germination rate and population genetics and germination rate.

There will be opportunities to work on different components of the overall project in addition to the germination experiment.