To explain the recruitment and coexistence of species which establish
after fire, this study predicted that each species would have differen
t germination cues as a component of different regeneration niches. Fu
rthermore, for species subject to natural fire frequencies of 10-20 ye
ars, fire-related cues, seed dormancy, extended longevity and fire-rel
ated germination cues might be predicted. However, results indicated b
roadly similar germination requirements. Seeds subjected to two heat t
reatments and a charcoal extract failed to show significantly enhanced
germination. Instead, highest germination successes were achieved und
er alternating diurnal temperatures which implied an indirect fire cue
, viz. the removal of insulating vegetation. Leachate solution inhibit
ed germination in two species suggesting allelopathic effects during i
nter-fire periods. Only two species showed dormancy and three species
did not have extended longevity but showed declining germinability aft
er three years. Finally, in order to determine the potential germinati
on from a soil-stored seed bank, data analysis simulated a seed bank c
omprising three years' accumulation of seeds. In each species the prop
ortion of germinable seeds varied each year over the three years. Also
, the germinability in response to ageing varied for each year's seed
production. This would explain the variation in densities of the six s
pecies after different fire events, and hence offers a better explanat
ion for species' coexistence.