Seed traits and seed bank longevity of wet sclerophyll forest shrubs

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica L. Campbell ◽  
Peter J. Clarke ◽  
David A. Keith
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Fire Event ◽  
Seed Crop ◽  
Seed Bank Dynamics ◽  
Sclerophyll Forest ◽  
Sclerophyll Forests ◽  
Seed Bank Longevity

In wet sclerophyll forests seedling recruitment either occurs after intermittent fire events or continuously during intervals between fires in gaps created by small-scale disturbances. The dormancy and dispersal characteristics of seeds will influence how plant species exploit these contrasting recruitment opportunities. For example, long-lived seed banks may be crucial for persistence of species that are unable to recruit during intervals between fires if the length of fire intervals exceeds the life span of standing plants (senescence risk). To better understand mechanisms of population persistence during prolonged absence of fire in montane wet sclerophyll forests, we studied seed bank dynamics in four understorey species. We chose two species thought to have fire event-driven recruitment, Banksia integrifolia subsp. monticola (Proteaceae) and Goodia lotifolia (Fabaceae), and two species that are thought to have canopy gap-phase recruitment, Trochocarpa laurina (Ericaceae) and Tasmannia stipitata (Winteraceae). We measured seed rain, seed bank density and used seeds buried in nylon mesh bags to estimate rates of seed decay in the soil over time. All species produced a substantial seed crop on an annual basis. The annual seed crop in three species (G. lotifolia, T. stipitata and T. laurina) was released in a dormant state and developed a persistent seed bank, while one species (B. integrifolia) lacked dormancy and rapidly germinated under laboratory and field conditions. Seed bank characteristics of G. lotifolia appear to promote episodic recruitment after large landscape-scale fires, those of B. integrifolia appear to promote more continuous recruitment in response to smaller fires and other disturbances that avoid widespread mortality of established plants, while seed bank characteristics of T. stipitata and T. laurina may facilitate both episodic and continuous recruitment under respective types of disturbance. The four species appeared to have varied vulnerabilities and mechanisms for reducing immaturity risk and senescence risk to persistence of their populations under recurrent disturbance. Dormancy, seed bank longevity and seed rain are likely to be useful syndromes for predicting the response of wet sclerophyll forest understorey species to changed disturbance regimes.

scholarly journals Seed bank dynamics in five Panamanian forests

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Fornara ◽  
J. W. Dalling
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Pioneer Species ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Annual Fluctuation ◽  
Soil Seed Banks ◽  
Successful Recruitment ◽  
Seed Bank Dynamics ◽  
Lowland Forests

Many tropical pioneer species depend on the presence of high seed densities in the soil for successful recruitment following canopy disturbance (Cheke et al. 1979, Dalling & Hubbell 2002, Guevara Sada & Gómez Pompa 1972, Whitmore 1983). However determinants of variation in the composition and abundance of soil seed banks remain poorly understood. Seed bank densities can be affected by rates of seed predation and pathogen infection on the surface and in the soil, by intrinsic rates of loss in viability following dispersal, and by variation in the timing and duration of fruit production (Dalling et al. 1997, Garwood 1983, Murray & Garcia 2002). Here we compare seasonal fluctuations in seed bank density in five Panamanian forests varying in elevation and seasonality of precipitation (Table 1). We predict that lowland forests should show stronger intra-annual fluctuation in seed bank densities than montane forests because seed production and loss rates should be higher under conditions of greater resource availability, and where consistent high temperatures support greater abundance or activity of seed predators and pathogens (Brühl et al. 1999). Secondly, among lowland sites, we predict greater fluctuations in seed bank densities at drier, more seasonal sites where seasonally favourable conditions for seedling recruitment may select for interspecific synchrony in fruit production (Daubenmire 1972, Garwood 1983).

Ecological Studies of the Endangered Rutidosis Leptorrhynchoides .I. Seed Production, Soil Seed Bank Dynamics, Population Density and Their Effects on Recruitment

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JW Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Seed Bank Dynamics ◽  
The Impact

The seasonal dynamics of the soil seed bank of Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides F.Muell. were studied by the seedling emergence technique. Seed longevity in soil was quantified in a seed burial and retrieval experiment. The importance of annual seed production to recruitment was also determined over a 2-year-period, as was the impact of conspecific neighbour density on seed production per inflorescence. Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides appears to form a transient seed bank with little capacity to store germinable seeds in the soil from year to year. No seedlings were observed in soil sampled after the autumn germination pulse and no viable seed was present in the soil within 16 weeks of burial. The rate of seed loss was similar when seed was buried under all intact grassland canopy and in 0.25m2 canopy gaps. It appears that most seeds simply rot in moist soil or are predated by soil invertebrates. Seedling recruitment was at least 15 times greater in plots where natural seed input occurred than where it was curtailed. Less than 10% of seed shed resulted in seedling emergence. It is suggested that recruitment in the large populations studied was limited by germination rather than by microsite availability for seedling survival. Population density had an impact on seed production with sparsely distributed individuals producing fewer seeds per inflorescence than plants from denser colonies, although there was much variation. Sparse plants produced significantly fewer seeds per inflorescence than hand crosspollinated heads suggesting reduced pollinator efficacy in these colonies relative to larger colonies where there was no such difference. Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides is dependent on the maintenance of the standing population for recruitment. Any factors that influence flowering and subsequent seed production will limit the ability of the species to regenerate. Over sufficient time, this could lead to the localised extinction of the species and may explain why R. leptorrhynchoides has failed to reappear in remnants where a suitable fire regime has been re-implemented after a period of management unfavourable to the survival, flowering and regeneration of this species.

Seed and vegetation dynamics in an alpine herb field: effects of disturbance type

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne C. Chambers
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Vegetative State ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Pocket Gopher ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Highly Correlated

Relationships among the aboveground vegetation, seed rain, and seed bank were examined on a late seral herb field characterized by pocket gopher disturbance and on an early seral gravel borrow that had been severely disturbed 35 years ago on the Beartooth Plateau, Montana. Aboveground vegetation cover was assessed by species in twelve 5-m2 plots. Seed rain was sampled during the 1988, 1989, and 1990 growing seasons with pitfall traps, and the soil seed bank was sampled in fall 1989, spring 1990, and fall 1990. The seed rain (filled seeds) on the borrow area ranged from 7730 to 14 009 seeds/m2 and was higher than that found on other alpine sites; that on the Geum turf ranged from 3375 to 6179 seeds/m2 and was similar to that for other alpine sites. Although highly variable among dates on the borrow area, the seed banks were similar to those of comparable alpine sites. Seed bank density ranged from 1980 to 6003 seeds/m2 on the borrow area and from 3202 to 4647 seeds/m2 on the Geum turf area. The Geum turf area had higher vegetation cover than the borrow area (87 vs. 25%) and higher numbers of species in the aboveground vegetation, seed rain, and seed bank. Relationships among the aboveground vegetation, seed rain, and seed bank were largely determined by the disturbance characteristics of the different sites and the life-history strategies of the dominant species. Medium-lived species, primarily grasses, with high production of small and compact seeds had colonized the borrow area. Despite establishment of other species, 35 years after disturbance the medium-lived species still dominated the aboveground vegetation, seed rain, and seed bank. Species abundances in the three different components were all highly correlated. In contrast, on the Geum turf area there were no correlations among the aboveground vegetation, seed rain, or seed bank. Long-lived forbs that produced low numbers of relatively large seeds dominated the aboveground vegetation and persisted on the area primarily in the vegetative state. The same medium-lived species that dominated the borrow area had the highest abundance in the seed rain on the Geum turf area and appeared to persist by colonizing small-scale disturbances caused by gopher burrowing. Short-lived species with small, long-lived seeds existed on the site primarily through a highly persistent seed bank. The relationships among the aboveground vegetation, seed rain, and seed bank on the Geum turf and borrow areas are compared with those observed for more temperate systems following disturbance. Key words: alpine, herb field, Geum turf, disturbance, vegetation cover, seed rain, seed bank, colonization, establishment, succession.

scholarly journals What are the demographic consequences of a seed bank stage for columnar cacti?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Arroyo-Cosultchi ◽  
María C. Mandujano ◽  
Roberto Salguero-Gómez ◽  
Armando J. Martínez ◽  
Jordan Golubov
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Matrix Population Models ◽  
Columnar Cacti ◽  
Seed Bank Dynamics

AbstractThe dynamics of plants populations are often limited by the early stages in their life cycles. The question if the columnar cacti have or not a seed bank in predictable environments. Yet, information regarding seed bank dynamics and how these may influence the full life cycle of plant species is remarkably scarce or ignore. This lack of knowledge is mostly due to the challenges in quantifying seed vital rates. Studies of arid land plant species have historically been focused on the drivers of sporadic recruitment. However, little attention has been given to the demographic consequences of early developmental stages, including seed banks. Here, we evaluate the effects of seed bank survival and seedling recruitment vital rates on the population dynamics and viability of 12 columnar cacti species, recent evidence suggests that cacti seeds may remain viable for the short-term. We assess how changes in the vital rates of these processes, and the inclusion of a seed bank affect population growth rate (λ). We found that a seed bank in the examined matrix population models significantly increased λ as well as the vital rate elasticities of λ to growth and fecundity, whereas that of overall survival decreased. Our numerical simulations showed that seed survival had a larger effect on λ than seedling recruitment and establishment. We suggest that seed bank may explain the structure and population dynamics. Thus, we argue reconsider that this early stage in demographic models will generate more informed decisions on the conservation and management of columnar cacti.

scholarly journals Size-Dependent Patterns of Seed Rain in Gaps in Temperate Secondary Forests, Northeast China

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaoling Yan ◽  
Qun Gang ◽  
Jiaojun Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Spatiotemporal Pattern ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Gap Size

Secondary forests have become the major forest type worldwide, and are experiencing various disturbances and exhibiting obvious vegetation degradation (e.g., reduced biodiversity and decreased productivity) compared with primary forests. Forest gap is a common small-scale disturbance in secondary forests. Promoting natural regeneration under gap disturbance is an important approach to recover biodiversity and ecosystem services for temperate secondary forests. The gap size is the crucial characteristic controlling natural regeneration of many tree species. However, little is known about the spatiotemporal pattern of seed rain for gravity-dispersed and wind-dispersed tree species in gaps of varying sizes. The objectives of this study were to determine how seed rain of dominant tree species depend on gap size, and consequently, to explore some gap-based silviculture solutions for restoring secondary forests from the view of seed dispersal. The spatial distribution of seed rain in gaps with three sizes (large gaps of 250–350 m2, medium gaps of 150–250 m2, and small gaps of < 150 m2), the temporal dynamics of seed rain over three years, and the relationship between seed rain and soil seed banks were explored in temperate secondary forests. The results showed that more than 90% of the seeds in seed rain were wind-dispersed, and their seed rain density and the contribution of seed rain to soil seed bank in medium gaps reached the highest (p = 0.03). The results suggest that establishing medium-sized gaps (i.e., gap size with 150–250 m2) in the secondary forests is more favorable for improving the natural regeneration potential (arrival of seeds and forming soil seed bank) of gap-dependent and wind-dispersed species (e.g., Acer mono) in gaps.

Seed rain, soil seed bank, seedling recruitment, and survival of seedlings on a glacier foreland in the Central Alps

Flora ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 196 (4) ◽  
pp. 304-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitta Erschbamer ◽  
E. Kneringer ◽  
R. Niederfriniger Schlag
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Central Alps ◽  
Glacier Foreland ◽  
Survival Of Seedlings

Seed-bank dynamics in the invasive plant,Ambrosia artemisiifoliaL.

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Fumanal ◽  
I. Gaudot ◽  
F. Bretagnolle
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
Seed Bank Dynamics

AbstractThe seed-bank dynamics ofAmbrosia artemisiifolia(Asteraceae), an annual invasive plant introduced from North America to Europe, were studied in nine French populations developing in field crops, set-asides or wastelands. The vertical distribution of seeds was studied in two different depth sections (0–5 cm and 5–20 cm), and the spatial horizontal pattern of distribution was analysed for two selected field-crop and set-aside populations. The proportions of dormant, non-dormant and dead seeds, as well as the changes in seed-bank dormancy over time, were evaluated. Natural seedling recruitment and its variation under different disturbance treatments in competitive set-asides were also studied. From 536 ± 194 to 4477 ± 717 seeds m− 2were found in the living seed bank (0–20 cm). The majority of seeds in field crops was found in the lower soil layer, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in set-asides and wastelands. Dormant seed proportions were low (0–18%) before natural germination, but then regularly increased. The seed bank ofA. artemisiifoliawas spatially aggregated irrespective of the extent of soil disturbance. On average, 23 ± 12 to 292 ± 62 seedlings m− 2were recorded, with densities lower in set-asides than in field crops and wastelands. Seedling densities were not correlated to upper seed densities except for two field crops. Soil disturbance and the removal of vegetation had positive effects on seedling recruitment in set-asides. Seed-bank dynamics appear to be crucial in the invasive success ofA. artemisiifolia, and this knowledge will provide insights for the management of the species.

Seed-bank dynamics of Eleocharis: can spatial and temporal variability explain habitat segregation?

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy M. Bell ◽  
Peter J. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Habitat Partitioning ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Seed Bank Dynamics

Four Eleocharis species exhibit habitat partitioning in both extant vegetation and in the soil seed bank of upland temporary wetlands on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Explanations for this partitioning were sought in seed-bank dynamics at three shore levels in two wetlands. Habitat partitioning (zonation) was explained in part by seedling recruitment but not by either persistence of seeds in the soil or by dormancy patterns. All four species recruited at wetland edges but only the deepwater species, Eleocharis sphacelata, recruited in deeper water. Viability of buried seeds was consistently high and species had very low decay rates and half-lives greater than 50 years. Two types of dormancy patterns with burial were shown. Most seeds of Eleocharis sphacelata and E. pusilla were non-dormant after a 3-month burial, whereas for E. acuta and E. dietrichiana seed germination percentages gradually increased over a number of years. These two dormancy patterns may contribute to coexistence, since coexistence is enhanced by a long-lived resistant phase in the life history of species and by temporal variability in germination. There were also spatial inconsistencies in patterns of dormant fractions. Burial in the deeper zones of the marsh-like Billybung Lagoon had an inhibitory effect both on germinability and on germination rates of E. acuta and E. dietrichiana seeds. All but E. acuta showed some degree of seasonal dormancy, but this pattern was also not consistent in space. Explanations for zonation should concentrate on other life-history phases, such as dispersal and seedling survival.

Effect of harvesting method on seed bank dynamics in a boreal mixedwood forest in northwestern Ontario

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 872-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meiqin Qi ◽  
John B Scarratt
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Understory Vegetation ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Soil Seed Banks ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Seed Bank Dynamics ◽  
Harvesting Method ◽  
Boreal Mixedwood Forest

The effects of harvesting on seed bank dynamics in a boreal mixedwood forest were studied on replicated 10-ha treatment blocks harvested by different clear-cutting or partial-cutting systems in the fall of 1993. From 1994 to 1995 we monitored seed rain, soil seed banks, and seasonal changes in species composition in understory vegetation and seed banks in all harvest blocks plus three uncut controls. No persistent conifers were found in the soil seed banks of any treatment. The number of seeds of other species generally decreased with soil depth in all treatments, with the lower layer of organic soil yielding the highest numbers of seedlings. Many seeds of sedges and some herbs were found in the upper mineral soil horizon, indicating significant longevity. While disturbance by harvesting operations altered the distribution of seeds in the soil profile, harvesting method had little effect on the total number of species present in post-harvest seed banks or understory vegetation. There were no differences in seasonal compositional changes between treatments. Seed rain monitoring indicated that few conifer seeds were added to the seed bank. Betula papyrifera Marsh. was the dominant tree species in seed rain in the partial cutting treatments. However, in the second post-harvest year on clear cut sites sedges and grasses increased from less than 1 to 14% of seed rain. The results suggest that predominantly hardwood stands with prolific understory vegetation will initially develop on the treated sites, with a variable, but depleted conifer content.Key words: boreal mixedwood forest, natural regeneration, seed rain, seed bank, succession, vegetative propagation.

Seed rain, soil seed bank and seedling regeneration in a 65-year Picea asperata plantation in subalpine coniferous, western Sichuan, China

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44
Author(s):  
Hua-Jun YIN ◽  
Xin-Ying CHENG ◽  
Ting LAI ◽  
Bo LIN ◽  
Qing LIU
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Seedling Regeneration ◽  
Western Sichuan ◽  
Picea Asperata
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