Data from: Seed functional traits as predictors of seedling establishment success in Brazilian tropical forest restoration

Several ecological filters in deforested and degraded areas reduce
seedling emergence and establishment and hinder ecological restoration by
direct seeding. Understanding whether functional traits are related to a
species’ capacity to overcome these filters and predict their field
performance might improve the success of direct seeding techniques for
ecological restoration. We assessed eight seed functional traits of
tropical tree species, seeking those that best explained their
establishment success in direct seeding restoration projects. We analyzed
a dataset from 52 studies that tested direct seeding techniques with tree
species in Brazil. From each study, we collected the mean establishment
percentage for all tree species. Seed mass, cotyledon function, and
germination speed were the only functional traits that significantly
affected the species establishment percentage in direct seeding
restoration projects. Species with larger seeds, storage cotyledons, and
faster germination had higher establishment percentages. Choosing species
with these functional traits for seed mixes will provide higher
establishment percentages and, consequently, improve restoration success
by direct seeding techniques.