<p>Temporal and spatial patterns of seed germination affect plant community dynamics and are largely influenced by seed traits and ecological factors. The highly biodiverse savannas of Central Brazil exhibit a strong rainfall seasonality, differ in tree density and canopy cover from closed to open savannas located along shallow topographic gradients. We evaluated seed germination responses (percentage and time to maximum germination (t_50m)) across 21 common woody savanna species of Central Brazil according to seed traits (mass, moisture content, dispersal mode, dormancy, seed decay (viability loss in storage) and vegetation type (closed vs. open savannas) and assessed which seed traits best predict germination in this highly threatened ecosystem using a multiple analysis approach. Germination percentage, t_50m, seed mass, seed moisture content varied largely across species and according to dispersal mode, dormancy and seed decay. However, dispersal mode and moisture content were the traits that best explained variations in seed germination percentage. Multiple analyses indicated that none of the seed traits were good predictors of t_50m. Wind dispersed seeds and those with lower moisture content had higher germination percentages than animal dispersed seeds and those with higher moisture content, respectively. Our study shows that dispersal mode and moisture content are indicative traits of the germination percentage of woody species in the Brazilian savannas and suggests that higher temperatures, lower soil moisture, and more frequent fires associated with predicted climate change scenarios in this ecosystem may particularly affect animal dispersed seeds with high moisture contents, ultimately affecting seedling regeneration dynamics in this ecosystem.</p>