In alpine species the classification of the various mechanisms underlying seed dormancy has been rather questionable and controversial. Thus, we investigated 28 alpine species to evaluate the prevailing types of dormancy. Embryo type and water impermeability of seed coats gave an indication of the potential seed dormancy class. To ascertain the actual dormancy class and level, we performed germination experiments comparing the behavior of seeds without storage, after cold-dry storage, after cold-wet storage, and scarification. We also tested the light requirement for germination in some species. Germination behavior was characterized using the final germination percentage and the mean germination time. Considering the effects of the pretreatments, a refined classification of the prevailing dormancy types was constructed based on the results of our pretreatments. Only two out of the 28 species that we evaluated had predominantly non-dormant seeds. Physiological dormancy was prevalent in 20 species, with deep physiological dormancy being the most abundant, followed by non-deep and intermediate physiological dormancy. Seeds of four species with underdeveloped embryos were assigned to the morphophysiologial dormancy class. An impermeable seed coat was identified in two species, with no additional physiological germination block. We defined these species as having physical dormancy. Light promoted the germination of seeds without storage in all but one species with physiological dormancy. In species with physical dormancy, light responses were of minor importance. We discuss our new classification in the context of former germination studies and draw implications for the timing of germination in the field.

在高山物种中，种子休眠的各种机制的分类相当有问题和争议。因此，我们调查了 28 种高山物种以评估主要的休眠类型。种皮的胚胎类型和不透水性表明了潜在的种子休眠等级。为了确定实际的休眠等级和水平，我们进行了发芽实验，比较了未经储存、冷干储存后、冷湿储存后和松土后种子的行为。我们还测试了某些物种对发芽的光要求。使用最终发芽百分比和平均发芽时间来表征发芽行为。考虑到预处理的影响，基于我们的预处理结果构建了对主要休眠类型的精细分类。在我们评估的 28 种物种中，只有两种主要是非休眠种子。生理休眠在20个物种中普遍存在，其中以深部生理休眠最为丰富，其次是非深部和中度生理休眠。四种胚胎发育不全的种子被归入形态生理休眠类别。在两个物种中发现了不透水的种皮，没有额外的生理发芽块。我们将这些物种定义为具有物理休眠。除了一种生理休眠的物种外，光促进了所有种子的萌发，无需储存。在物理休眠的物种中，光反应是次要的。