After a seed drops from a plant it usually goes into a resting period called dormancy when it metabolizes stored energy reserves very slowly. Dormancy is defined as a state during which the seed is not able to germinate. Very specific cues are needed to break dormancy in some species. Seeds adapted to fire prone habitats may require high heat or smoke to break dormancy. Deterioration of the seed coat, elevated soil nutrients, diurnal fluctuations in soil temperature, prolonged rain, or a change in the quality of light could break seed dormancy. After emerging from dormancy a seed is able to germinate and will respond to more familiar growth stimulating factors such as moisture, light and soil nutrients.