Metal effects on germination and seedling development in closely-related halophyte species inhabiting different elevations along the intertidal gradient.

Seed germination and seedling establishment are very sensitive plant stages to metal pollution. Many halophyte species colonizing salt marshes are able to germinate and establish in highly contaminated habitats and low marsh halophyte species seem to show higher tolerance to metals than high marsh species. We analyzed the effects of copper, zinc and nickel in concentrations up to 2000 μM on seed germination and seedling growth in two closely related species of Sarcocornia, S.