What is known about the germination of plant species from open wetlands in the Cerrado?

The open wetlands in the Cerrado are composed of herbaceous graminoid vegetation, growing under moist, acidic soils, rich in organic matter. Their hydrological dynamics support a high diversity of plants that are adapted to the fluctuating conditions of the water table, influenced by seasonal water levels. This study conducted a literature review to evaluate the current understanding of germination, viability, storage, and dormancy of the most abundant plant species in the open wetlands of the Cerrado. We also investigated whether these species are currently being traded in the seed market. The search of the literature yielded nine papers presenting data on species coverage and density. These studies encompassed 33 open wetlands sites in the Cerrado, where 190 species were the most abundant. Most of these species (63%) are found in one site, indicating a restricted distribution of abundant species. Moreover, it underscores that successful wetland restoration must rely on seeds from species native to the local flora. We identified 32 papers containing seed germination and viability data for only 46 species (approximately 24%). Of these, 45 had laboratory germination data available, while 11 were evaluated for germination in the field. In 2023, only 12 abundant species of wetlands were marketed by the Seeds Networks. The restoration of the open wetlands of the Cerrado is confronted with significant challenges, including the restricted availability of native non‐tree species seeds on the trade market and a dearth of knowledge regarding the ecological characteristics of the species.