Walter’s world vegetation classification system was used to organize the mass of literature on seed dormancy and germination of species growing in temperate and arctic zones: sclerophyllous woodlands with winter rain, moist, warm temperature woodlands, deciduous (nemoral) forests, steppes, cold semideserts and deserts, boreal coniferous zone, tundra and mountains. Species were listed under the appropriate zone, depending on their geographical distribution. For each type of vegetation, there is a summary of available information on seed dormancy and germination of trees, shrubs, vines and herbaceous species. Weeds also are considered, and attention is given to special biotic and abiotic factors influencing germination.