Citation
Role of fire in regeneration from seed
TL;DR
Many species require fire-related cues for germination
This review examines how fire-dependent seeds use heat shock as a germination trigger. Seeds of species like Banksia and eucalyptus require temperatures of 50-100°C to crack their seed coats - they're waiting for fire to clear competition and create opportunity.
The fire-germination strategy provides a powerful metaphor for startup timing: sometimes the best moment to launch is when disruption has cleared the competitive landscape. The ash-fertilized, sun-exposed conditions after a 'market fire' (regulatory change, technology shift, incumbent failure) create ideal germination conditions.
Key Findings from Keeley & Fotheringham (2000)
- Many species require fire-related cues for germination
- Heat shock (50-100°C) breaks physical dormancy in fire-adapted species
- Fire creates optimal post-germination conditions (cleared competition, nutrients, light)
- Fire-dependent germination is an evolutionary adaptation to fire-prone environments