Constraints of Seed Bank Species Composition and Water Depth for Restoring Vegetation in the Florida Everglades, U.S.A.

Soil seed banks may offer great potential for restoring and maintaining desert ecosystems that have been degraded by climate change and anthropogenic disturbance. However, few studies have explored the annual dynamics in the composition and relative abundance of these soil seed banks. We conducted a long-term observational study to assess the effects of environmental factors (meteorology and microtopography) and aboveground vegetation on the soil seed bank of the Tengger Desert, China. The desert seed bank was dominated by annual herbs. We found that more rainfall in the growing season increased the number of seeds in the soil seed bank, and that quadrats at relatively higher elevations had fewer seeds. The species composition had more similarity in the seed bank than in the aboveground vegetation, though the seed bank and aboveground vegetation did change synchronously due to the rapid propagation of annuals. Together, our findings suggest that the combined effects of environmental factors and plant life forms determine the species composition and size of soil seed banks in deserts. Thus, if degraded desert ecosystems are left to regenerate naturally, the lack of shrub and perennial herb seeds could crucially limit their restoration. Human intervention and management may have to be applied to enhance the seed abundance of longer-lived lifeforms in degraded deserts.

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Seed banks as a neglected area of biogeographic research: a review of literature and sampling techniques

Progress in Physical Geography Earth and Environment ◽

10.1177/030913339301700303 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 329-347 ◽

Cited By ~ 91

Author(s):

Susan J. Warr ◽

Ken Thompson ◽

Martin Kent

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Seed Bank ◽

Relevant Literature ◽

Landscape Management ◽

Seed Banks ◽

Sampling Techniques ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Sample Distribution ◽

Tropical Environments

The article highlights a comparatively neglected area of biogeographical research - seed banks and the distribution of seeds in the soil. The article reviews some of the relevant literature on seed banks and the methods for their study. Attention is focused on aspects of seed banks of particular relevance to biogeographers, with detailed examples drawn from seed bank studies in both temperate and tropical environments. In the review of the seed bank literature, the topics covered include the seed banks of successional communities and the size of seed banks in different vegetation types. The species composition of seed banks in different plant communities is discussed, particularly the degree of correlation between the species composition of seed banks and associated ground flora. The relationships between seed persistence, depth of burial in the soil and soil properties, such as moisture and pH, are explored. Seed bank heterogeneity is examined and a number of studies which have attempted to describe and measure the spatial variability of seed banks are summarized. Ways of classifying seed banks in terms of seed bank strategies are explained. The role of seed banks in conservation is discussed, for example in restoration projects, where preferred species have been lost from the vegetation but survive in the seed bank. The relevance of seed banks for the conservation of rare species and in landscape management is considered. Lastly, the contribution of seed banks to the recovery of vegetation following disturbance in various plant communities is discussed. In the review of seed bank sampling techniques, the subjects considered include methods of sample collection, the sampling intensity required for reliable estimates of seed density, a consideration of the relative merits of random and systematic sample distribution, as well as the importance of the timing of sampling. Various methods for the estimation of seed numbers in samples are appraised; these either involve extraction of seeds from the soil, followed by seed identification or enumeration by germination and seedling identification. Problems of analysing seed bank data are considered and several useful techniques for data analysis are suggested. Finally, the article draws attention to areas of future seed bank research for biogeographers and plant ecologists.

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Seasonal variation in soil seed bank size and species composition of selected habitat types in Maputaland, South Africa

Bothalia ◽

10.4102/abc.v37i2.323 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 249-258 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. J. S. Kellerman ◽

M. W. Van Rooyen

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Seasonal Variation ◽

Species Composition ◽

Seed Bank ◽

Soil Seed Bank ◽

Woody Species ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Seed Banks ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Open Woodland

Seasonal variation in seed bank size and species composition of five selected habitat types within the Tembe Elephant Park. South Africa, was investigated. At three-month intervals, soil samples were randomly collected from five different habitat types: a, Licuati forest; b, Licuati thicket; c, a bare or sparsely vegetated zone surrounding the forest edge, referred to as the forest/grassland ecotone; d, grassland; and e, open woodland. Most species in the seed bank flora were either grasses, sedges, or forbs, with hardly any evidence of woody species. The Licuati forest and thicket soils produced the lowest seed densities in all seasons. Licuati forest and grassland seed banks showed a two-fold seasonal variation in size, those of the Licuati thicket and woodland a three-fold variation in size, whereas the forest/grassland ecotone maintained a relatively large seed bank all year round. The woodland seed bank had the highest species richness, whereas the Licuati forest and thicket soils were poor in species. Generally, it was found that the greatest correspondence in species composition was between the Licuati forest and thicket, as well as the forest/grassland ecotone and grassland seed bank floras.

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Effects of habitat conditions on the diversity and species composition of plants in the soil seed bank of temporarily flooded field depressions

Phytocoenologia ◽

10.1127/phyto/2018/0277 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 149-163

Author(s):

Harald Albrecht ◽

Andrzej Pukacz ◽

Uwe Raabe ◽

Sara Altenfelder

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Seed Bank ◽

Soil Seed Bank ◽

Habitat Conditions ◽

Flooded Field

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Avian Response to Nutrient Enrichment in an Oligotrophic Wetland, the Florida Everglades

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/104.3.631 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 104 (3) ◽

pp. 631-642

Author(s):

Gaea E. Crozier ◽

Dale E. Gawlik

Keyword(s):

Water Depth ◽

Florida Everglades ◽

Agelaius Phoeniceus ◽

Bird Abundance ◽

Ardea Herodias ◽

Eudocimus Albus ◽

Ardea Alba ◽

Geothlypis Trichas ◽

Mycteria Americana ◽

Quiscalus Major

Abstract We studied the effects of nutrient enrichment on the bird community in an oligotrophic wetland, the Florida Everglades. Among the non-wading birds surveyed in 1996 and 1997, Boat-tailed Grackles (Quiscalus major) and Common Moorhens (Gallinula chloropus) were consistently more abundant in enriched sites, whereas Common Yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas) were consistently more abundant in unenriched sites. The abundance of Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) was not significantly different between enriched and unenriched sites. Among wading birds, Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) and Great Egrets (Ardea alba) were significantly more abundant in enriched than unenriched areas in a dry year, 1991. Great Egrets and all wading species combined were significantly more abundant in enriched than unenriched areas in the wet year, 1995. Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) and White Ibises (Eudocimus albus) did not differ in abundance between enriched and unenriched areas in the dry or wet year. A significant interaction between water depth and nutrient status in the wet year indicated that wading bird abundance increased with water depth only in nutrient-enriched areas presumably because the enriched areas had greater food availability than unenriched areas at the same water depth. Bird abundance appeared to increase in nutrient-enriched areas; however, this increase was accompanied by a shift in species composition typically found in the unenriched Everglades and was a fundamental change in the Everglades' distinctive structure. Respuestas de las Aves al Enriquecimiento con Nutrientes en un Humedal Oligotrófico, en los Pantanos de los Everglades en Florida Resumen. Estudiamos los efectos del enriquecimiento con nutrientes sobre la comunidad de aves en un humedal oligotrófico, los pantanos de los Everglades en Florida. Entre las aves no vadeadoras censadas en 1996 y 1997, Quiscalus major y Gallinula chloropus fueron consistentemente más abundantes en sitios enriquecidos, mientras que Geothlypis trichas fue consistentemente más abundante en sitios no enriquecidos. La abundancia de Agelaius phoeniceus no difirió significativamente entre los sitios enriquecidos y no enriquecidos. Entre las aves vadeadoras, Mycteria americana y Ardea alba fueron significativamente más abundantes en áreas enriquecidas que en las no enriquecidas durante 1991, un año seco. En 1995, un año húmedo, Ardea alba y todas las demás aves vadeadoras fueron significativamente más abundantes en áreas enriquecidas que en las no enriquecidas. Ardea herodias y Eudocimus albus no difirieron en abundancia entre áreas enriquecidas y no enriquecidas en el año húmedo ni en el año seco. En el año húmedo, encontramos una interacción significativa entre la profundidad del agua y el estado de los nutrientes, lo que indicó que la abundancia de aves vadeadoras aumentó sólo en las áreas enriquecidas con nutrientes, presumiblemente debido a que las áreas enriquecidas presentaron mayor disponibilidad de alimento que las áreas no enriquecidas de una profundidad de agua equivalente. La abundancia de aves pareció aumentar en las áreas enriquecidas con nutrientes; sin embargo, este incremento estuvo acompañado con un cambio en la composición de las especies encontradas normalmente en los pantanos de los Everglades de Florida que no han sido enriquecidos, y representó un cambio fundamental en la estructura característica de los Everglades.

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Foraminifera and Late Cenomanian-Turonian biostratigraphy of the northern palaeobiogeographic district of Western Siberia

Geologos ◽

10.2478/logos-2013-0013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 201-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Vera Podobina

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Water Depth ◽

Western Siberia ◽

Sufficient Data ◽

The West ◽

Core Samples ◽

Canadian Provinces ◽

Host Rocks ◽

Siberian Species

Abstract The study of 114 core samples from seven borehole sections of the Van-Eganskaya area in the central part of Western Siberia yielded sufficient data to investigate the Late Cenomanian-Turonian foraminifers, palaeoenvironments, and the Late Cenomanian-Turonian biostratigraphy of this poorly studied area. Two Late Cenomanian foraminifer zones were established, viz. a (lower) Saccammina micra - Ammomarginulina sibirica Zone and an (upper) Trochammina wetteri tumida - Verneuilinoides kansasensis Zone. They reflect changes in the species composition of the foraminifer assemblages and lithology of the host rocks of the Uvatskian Horizon. In the lower part of the upper zone, beds with Gaudryinopsis nanushukensis elongatus are present. The changes in the species composition and lithology of the upper Cenomanian resulted from water-depth variations during the Boreal transgression. Two distinct assemblages and two homonymous zones, viz. the (lower) Gaudryinopsis angustus and the (upper) Pseudoclavulina hastata zones occur in the Turonian clayey cap-rocks of the superimposed Kuznetsovskian Horizon. Comparison of the Late Cenomanian-Turonian assemblages from the West-Siberian and Canadian provinces of the same Arctic palaeobiogeographical realm shows that the West-Siberian species are the same as, and closely related to, Canadian taxa, along with geographical subspecies. This comparison allows a detailed correlation, which results in a precise dating of the foraminifer zones.

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RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SOIL SEED BANK AND VEGETATION DIVERSITY ON DIFFERENT GRAZING PRESSURE

Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences ◽

10.5564/mjas.v13i2.528 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 105-113

Author(s):

Gantuya Jargalsaikhan

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Seed Bank ◽

Soil Seed Bank ◽

Grazing Pressure ◽

Ground Vegetation ◽

Agrostis Capillaris ◽

Vegetation Diversity ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Bistorta Vivipara

In a case study, the main objective was to compare three sites with different grazing pressures in Hvitarsida, W-Iceland in relation to current vegetation, seed bank composition and the correlation between those. Our results show that there were significant difference in species composition in above and belowground, giving very little similarity in species composition between seed bank and current vegetation composition. The only exceptions were Agrostis capillaris and Bistorta vivipara that had close similarity between current aboveground vegetation and soil seed bank. Agrostis capillaris had a great abundance in all the sites and Bistorta vivipara proliferates mostly with bulbils that most likely were numerous in the soil. The results of our study agree with current theories on seed bank composition and similar studies,that the similarity between current above ground vegetation and soil seed bank depends on current dominant species (annual or perennial)and the productivity (high or low) of the site.Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.13(2) 2014: 105-113

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Effects of Targeted Grazing and Prescribed Burning on Community and Seed Dynamics of a Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum)–Dominated Landscape

Invasive Plant Science and Management ◽

10.1614/ipsm-d-10-00065.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 259-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Joel M. Diamond ◽

Christopher A. Call ◽

Nora Devoe

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Seed Bank ◽

Community Dynamics ◽

Prescribed Burning ◽

Bromus Tectorum ◽

Downy Brome ◽

Stable States ◽

Targeted Grazing ◽

Northern Nevada ◽

Seed Dynamics

AbstractDowny brome (Bromus tectorum L.)—dominated communities can remain as stable states for long periods, even with frequent disturbance by grazing and fire. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using targeted cattle grazing and late-season prescribed burning, alone and in combination, to reduce B. tectorum seed bank input and seed bank density and thus alter aboveground community dynamics (species composition) on a B. tectorum–dominated landscape in northern Nevada. Cattle removed 80 to 90% of standing biomass in grazed plots in May of 2005 and 2006 when B. tectorum was in the boot (phenological) stage. Grazed and ungrazed plots were burned in October 2005 and 2006. The combined grazing–burning treatment was more effective than either treatment alone in reducing B. tectorum seed input and seed bank density, and in shifting species composition from a community dominated by B. tectorum to one composed of a suite of species, with B. tectorum as a component rather than a dominant. This study provides a meso-scale precursor for landscape-scale adaptive management using grazing and burning methodologies.

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