Ecology of desert plants. II. The effect of rain and temperature on germination and growth
TL;DR
Desert seeds require specific rainfall patterns, not just single rain events
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This classic study established how desert plants filter environmental noise from signal through sophisticated rainfall sensing. Desert seeds don't germinate after a single rainstorm - they wait for specific patterns of moisture that predict enough water to complete their lifecycle.
This research provides the foundation for understanding how startups should similarly filter market signals. A single customer isn't validation; sustained patterns of demand that predict enough 'moisture' for business viability are the true germination trigger.
Key Findings from Went (1949)
- Desert seeds require specific rainfall patterns, not just single rain events
- Seeds filter noise from signal through multiple sensing mechanisms
- Germination timing is calibrated to predict sufficient moisture for lifecycle completion
- Some species require multiple wetting-drying cycles before germinating