Seedlings as part of a plant's life cycle

The seedling, the young spermatophyte plant following germination, is but one stage in the continuum of a seed plant's life cycle. For ecological purposes, discussion on the life cycle (illustrated in Fig. 1.1) focuses on the processes involved in replacing the adult and/or colonizing new habitats. A reproductive adult plant produces seeds that, once dispersed, become part of the seed bank (Parker et al., 1989; Simpson et al., 1989). Then, following germination, a seedling faces unpredictable environments and is limited by its particular genetic constraints. However, if successful, it survives to adulthood and reproduction.

Seedlings are highly vulnerable, subject to varied abiotic and biotic factors that affect growth and establishment. Their adversities, although variable in severity – depending on habitat and seedling form – include drought, flooding, herbivory, and lack of resources, such as mycorrhizal associates and light.