Data from: Seed quality and seed quantity in red maple depends on weather and individual tree characteristics

Under future climate change, plant species are expected to shift their
ranges in response to increasing temperatures and altered precipitation
patterns. As seeds represent the single opportunity for plants to move, it
is critical to quantify the factors that influence reproduction. While
total seed production is clearly important, seed quality is equally as
critical and often overlooked. Thus, to quantify how environmental and
tree-level characteristics affect seed quality and quantity, the
reproductive output of red maple (Acer rubrum) was measured along an
elevation gradient in the Monongahela National Forest, WV. A variety of
individual-level characteristics were measured (i.e., DBH, canopy area,
tree cores), and seed traps were placed under seed-bearing trees to
collect samaras and quantify total seed production. A random subsample of
collected seeds from each tree were micro-CT scanned to determine embryo
volume, photographed for morphology measurements, and used for germination
trials. The number of seeds produced was negatively affected by frost
events during flowering, and stand density. The trees with the most seeds
also showed reduced growth in recent years. Only 63% of scanned seeds
showed embryo development, and of those seeds – only 23% germinated. The
likelihood of embryo presence increased as growth rate decreased, while
embryo size increased with tree height, smaller DBH, and in areas
dominated by hemlock. Both larger embryo volume and larger overall seed
size increased the likelihood of germination. The results highlight the
importance of including seed quality in addition to seed quantity for a
more complete representation of reproductive output.