New Zealand Native Plant Seeds May Survive Wildfires

Scientists heated native and exotic seeds to simulate wildfire conditions. Surprisingly, mākaka and kōwhai seeds survived temperatures up to 80°C, with mākaka seeds even showing signs of germination post-exposure. In contrast, other native species like māhoe and cabbage trees did not survive.

Understanding these survival mechanisms is crucial for ecological conservation. As wildfires become more common, identifying which native plants can naturally recover helps researchers better manage forest restoration and protect biodiversity against invasive species like gorse.