Seed rain and seed bank along an alpine altitudinal gradient in Swedish Lapland

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 728-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Molau ◽  
Eva-Lena Larsson
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Empetrum Hermaphroditum ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Total Seed ◽  
Germinable Seed

We studied the seed flux, including seed rain and seed bank (germinable and total), at twelve sites along an altitudinal gradient in the Abisko area in northernmost Swedish Lapland during a period of 3 years with contrasting summer climates. The study sites were evenly spaced in altitude from the timberline at 700 m above sea level to the highest peaks in the area (1560 m). A subalpine birch forest site was included for comparison. Each site was equipped with seed traps, replaced and emptied directly upon snow-melt each summer. Soil samples for seed bank assessment were taken at all sites, and inventories of the vascular plant flora were carried out in the 10 m radius neighborhood of the traps. The results revealed high variation among years with regard to seed rain and its partitioning over various functional types of plants. Even though most of the seed rain could be attributed to species present in the plant community of the trap sites themselves, some more long-distance dispersal takes place every year. A number of extrazonal recoveries are reported, often several hundred m above the distributional limit of the species. Even though seed number and species diversity declined rapidly from seed rain over total seed bank to germinable seed bank, the correlation among all three aspects of the seed pool was high. The dominant species in the seed flux at moderate altitudes, Empetrum hermaphroditum Hagerup, has a persistent seed bank with an average turnover of more than 200 years.Key words: seed rain, seed bank, total seed bank, germinable seed bank, alpine, dispersal.

Buried seed populations in the montane, subalpine, and alpine belts of Mont Jacques-Cartier, Quebec

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hubert Morin ◽  
Serge Payette
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Linear Correlation ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Significant Linear Correlation ◽  
Seed Population ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Buried Seed ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Number Of Seeds

The analysis of the total buried seed population along an altitudinal gradient in the Mont Jacques-Cartier area, southern Quebec, reveals a close relationship between buried seed flora and aboveground vegetation. Eighty-one percent of the species present in the total buried seed population were present in the aboveground vegetation of the study sites. The total number of seeds in the buried seed population, the number of species in the total buried seed population, and the number of seeds and species in the seed bank did not show any significant linear correlation with altitude. A shift from a boreal to an arctic–alpine buried seed population with increasing altitude was observed, instead of a decrease in seed bank size.

Seed rain and seed bank along an alpine altitudinal gradient in Swedish Lapland

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 728-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Molau ◽  
Eva-Lena Larsson
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Seed Rain

Seed bank of an invasive alien, Heracleum mantegazzianum, and its seasonal dynamics

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukáš Krinke ◽  
Lenka Moravcová ◽  
Petr Pyšek ◽  
Vojtěch Jarošík ◽  
Jan Pergl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Invasion Success ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Heracleum Mantegazzianum ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Total Seed ◽  
June July ◽  
Number Of Seeds

The seed bank of Heracleum mantegazzianum, native to the western Caucasus and invasive in Europe, was studied in the Slavkovský les Protected Landscape Area, the Czech Republic, during the course of two growing seasons. In each of seven study sites with dominating stands of the species, soil samples were taken in October (after the fruit release), April (before germination) and June–July (before the fruit release). Ten samples were taken from each site using a soil hand bore, 4.6 cm in diameter. Seeds elutriated from the samples were immediately germinated in laboratory conditions (10°C, 12 h light/12 h dark); those that germinated during 1 month were considered as non-dormant. Non-germinated but viable seeds, tested for viability by tetrazolium, were considered as dormant. The number of dead seeds was also recorded. The total number of seeds significantly increased with mean density of flowering plants at a site. Of the total variation in seed-bank size, about four-fifths were attributed to that among sites, and one-fifth to that within sites. The number and proportion of living seeds differed significantly between years in summer, but not in autumn and spring. Total number and the numbers of dormant, non-dormant, living and dead seeds significantly differed among the autumn, spring and summer samples. The percentage of living seeds in the total seed bank decreased from 56% in autumn to 42% in spring to 15% in summer. The percentage of non-dormant seeds among those living was 0.3% in autumn, it increased to 87.5% in the spring sample, and decreased to 3% in summer. Pooled across all sites, the average seed numbers (expressed per m2) were 6719±4119 (mean±SD) in autumn, 4907±2278 in spring and 1301±1036 in summer for the total number of seeds, and 3759±2906, 2044±1198 and 192±165, respectively, for living seeds. The majority of seeds (95%) were concentrated in the upper 5 cm soil layer. However, some seeds were present in lower soil layers, which indicates a short-term persistent seed bank. The present data are the first quantitative estimate of the seed bank in H. mantegazzianum, and show that the reproductive potential of the species is enormous, which seems to be a crucial feature of its invasion success.

Seed Banks and Vegetation of Three Contrasting Sites in an Urban Eucalypt Forest Reserve

1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 371 ◽  
Author(s):  
BM Odgers
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Species Density ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
The Road ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
Exotic Grass ◽  
Germinable Seed

Grass species, sedges and dicotyledons in the vegetation and the buried germinable seed of a natural subtropical eucalypt forest, a mown and a road bank site were identified in four consecutive seasons and the data pooled to give a more precise assessment of taxa present each year. Differences in the relative proportions of taxa, differences in species density, origin and life history of grass species in the seed bank and vegetation, as well as differences in biomass and rate of germination of buried germinable grass seed, in the three sites were investigated. In all three sites, grasses were the dominant taxa of the ground stratum of the vegetation with each site having its own group of mainly perennial grasses. The seed banks were dominated by grasses in the forest site, sedges in the mown site and dicotyledons in the road bank site. There were significant differences in species density of grasses in both the vegetation and buried germinable seed between sites, with the forest site having a significantly lower species density in its seed bank than the mown and road bank sites, and the vegetation of the forest and mown sites having a lower species density than the road bank site. However, there was a high correlation between the grass species of the vegetation and the buried germinable seed in each of the three sites - the species which dominated the vegetation also dominated the biomass of buried germinable seed in each site. The mown and road bank sites had larger numbers and biomass of buried germinable grass seed than the natural forest site. There were no differences in the number of days to first germination and the number of days to 50% germination of the buried germinable seed between any of the sites. Exotic grass species were present in the seed banks of the forest, mown and road bank sites. Exotics were prevalent in the vegetation of the mown and road bank sites but not evident in the vegetation of the forest site. Exotic species with higher buried germinable seed numbers and similar germination rates to the native species are likely to have a competitive advantage over the native species. It appears that the mown and road bank sites, may act as reservoirs for the more competitive exotic grass species, enabling them to invade the seed banks of the forest areas.

The seed bank of Eupatorium odoratum along a successional gradient in a tropical rain forest in Ghana

1987 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary A. Epp
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Closed Canopy ◽  
Total Seed ◽  
Germination Experiments

ABSTRACTThe germinable seed bank of the colonizing weed Eupatorium odoratum was studied at the University of Ghana's Agricultural Research Station, near Kade. Five sites representing different successional stages were selected: a closed-canopy forest; intermittent-canopy forest; secondary forest; agricultural land; and a burnt forest. Twenty-five soil samples (each 500 cm3; 10×10×5 cm) were taken at random in each site, to be used for germination experiments. The secondary forest site had significantly more seeds of Eupatorium odoratum (8428 seeds per m2) than any of the other four sites. In this site Eupatorium odoratum constituted 81% of the total seed bank and had significantly more rapid germination of seeds than any other species. The results indicate that the existence of a soil seed bank may depend on: (1) time allowed for seed accumulation; (2) habitat accessibility to dispersing seeds; (3) the type of disturbance that occurs in an area; (4) dispersal capabilities of colonizing species; and (5) the history of the species′ distribution in the area.

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

scholarly journals Influence of Slope Direction on the Soil Seed Bank and Seedling Regeneration of Castanopsis hystrix Seed Rain

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 500
Author(s):  
Zong Zhao ◽  
Yong Liu ◽  
Hongyan Jia ◽  
Wensheng Sun ◽  
Angang Ming ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Seed Rain ◽  
Seed Vigor ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mature Seeds

Objective: To investigate the impact of different slope directions on the quantity and quality of the soil seed bank and seedling germination process of Castanopsis hystrix plantations. Method: Fixed sample plots in forest stands of Castanopsis hystrix were established on different slope directions (sunny slope, semi-sunny slope, semi-shady slope, and shady slope). The characteristics of the forest stand were investigated, and per-wood scaling was carried out. The temporal dynamics of the seed rain and seed bank were quantified using seed rain collectors and by collecting soil samples from different depths. The quantity and quality of the seeds were determined, and the vigor of mature seeds was measured throughout the study. Results: (1) The diffusion of Castanopsis hystrix seed rain started in mid-September, reached its peak from late October to early November, and ended in mid-December. (2) The dissemination process, occurrence time, and composition of the seed rain varied between the different slope directions. The seed rain intensity on the semi-sunny slope was the highest (572.75 ± 9.50 grains∙m−2), followed by the sunny slope (515.60 ± 10.28 grains∙m−2), the semi-shady slope (382.13 ± 12.11 grains∙m−2), and finally the shady slope (208.00 ± 11.35 grains∙m−2). The seed rain on the sunny slope diffused earliest and lasted the longest, while the seed rain on the shady slope diffused latest and lasted the shortest time. Seed vigor and the proportion of mature seeds within the seed rain were greatest on the semi-sunny slope, followed by the sunny slope, semi-shady slope, and the shady slope. (3) From the end of the seed rain to August of the following year, the amount of total reserves of the soil seed banks was highest on the semi-sunny slope, followed by the sunny slope then the semi-shady slope, and it was the lowest on the shady slope. The amount of mature, immature, gnawed seeds and seed vigor of the soil seed bank in various slope directions showed a decreasing trend with time. The seeds of the seed bank in all slope directions were mainly distributed in the litter layer, followed by the 0–2 cm humus layer, and only a few seeds were present in the 2–5 cm soil layer. (4) The seedling density of Castanopsis hystrix differed significantly on the different slope directions. The semi-sunny slope had the most seedlings, followed by the sunny slope, semi-shady slope, and the shady slope. Conclusions: The environmental conditions of the semi-sunny slope were found to be most suitable for the seed germination and seedling growth of Castanopsis hystrix, and more conducive to the regeneration and restoration of its population.

scholarly journals From ionising radiation to air ion formation in the lower atmosphere

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuemeng Chen ◽  
Veli-Matti Kerminen ◽  
Jussi Paatero ◽  
Pauli Paasonen ◽  
Hanna E. Manninen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Ionising Radiation ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Ion Concentrations ◽  
Ion Formation ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Ion Production

Abstract. Most of the ion production in the atmosphere is attributed to ionising radiation. In the lower atmosphere, ionising radiation consists mainly of the decay emissions of radon and its progeny, gamma radiation of the terrestrial origin as well as photons and elementary particles of cosmic radiation. These types of radiation produce ion pairs via the ionisation of nitrogen and oxygen as well as trace species in the atmosphere, the rate of which is defined as the ionising capacity. Larger air ions are produced out of the initial charge carriers by processes, such as clustering or attachment to pre-existing aerosol particles. This study aimed 1) to identify the key factors responsible for the variability in ionising radiation and in the observed air ion concentrations, 2) to reveal the linkage between them, and 3) to provide an in-depth analysis into the effects of ionising radiation on air ion formation, based on measurement data collected during 2003–2006 from a boreal forest site in southern Finland. In general, gamma radiation dominated the ion production in the lower atmosphere. Variations in the ionising capacity came from mixing layer dynamics, soil type and moisture content, meteorological conditions, long-distance transportation, snow cover attenuation and precipitation. Similar diurnal patterns to variations in the ionising capacity were observed in air ion concentrations of the cluster size (0.8–1.7 nm in mobility diameters). Clear promotion effects of the ionising radiation on air ion production were demonstrated. Typically, features observed in the 0.8–1 nm ion concentration were in connection to variations of the ionising capacity. Further by carefully constraining perturbing variables, a clear relationship was also identifiable between the cluster ion concentration and the ionising capacity, proving the functionality of ionising radiation in air ion production in the lower atmosphere.

scholarly journals An Investigation into Marmot Migration in Grand Teton National Park

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 78-82
Author(s):  
George Montopoli ◽  
Nick Visser ◽  
Hank Harlow
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Snow Melt ◽  
Marmota Flaviventris ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
The North ◽  
North Fork ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Long Distance Movement

In 1994 and 1995, a high abundant winter snowfall at higher elevations appeared to result in long distance movement patterns by yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris) over snow to lower, snowfree elevations where food was more available. As the snow melted and food became abundant, the marmots return to higher altitudes. In 1996, we continued to investigate the potential for migrational movements, by studying two study sites at different elevations in the North Fork of Cascade Canyon. Four marmots at each site were implanted with intraperitoneal tracking transmitters. Of eight marmots that were equipped with intraperitoneal transmitters, six demonstrated significant movements of greater than 0.5 km, one did not, and one most likely died as a result of predation before any movement could be observed. Of the six that demonstrated significant movements within the canyon, only one moved distances greater than 1 km. Marmots, after emerging from hibernation, migrated down canyon to snowfree areas as they become available. With progressive snow melt, most marmots move upward to higher elevations, but not to the extent originally expected. Instead, they moved to the first available habitat where food was obtainable, and other (dominant) marmots accepted their presence. This movement is exhibited in both males and females, yearlings and adults, and melanistic and normal colored marmots.

Recruitment of Curly Mitchell Grass (Astrebla Lappacea) in North-Western New South Wales.

1996 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
MH Campbell ◽  
AM Bowman ◽  
WD Bellotti ◽  
DJ Munich ◽  
HI Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
New South ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Annual Weeds ◽  
North Western ◽  
Germinable Seed

The recruitment of Astrebla lappacea was studied from 1986 to 1995 in a pasture in north-western NSW where the density of plants had declined from 1 to 3 plants/m2 in 1970 to 0.023 plants/m2 in 1986. Three treatments were imposed: ungrazed-sprayed-slashed, where annual weeds were treated with herbicides and slashing to reduce competition during recruitment; ungrazed-only; and grazed-only. The seed bank of A. lappacea was measured on four occasions and densities of A. lappacea plants determined after major rainfall events mainly in summer and autumn. On the ungrazed treatments the seed bank of A. lappacea increased from 0 in 1988 to 908, 898 and 286 germinable seed/m2 in, respectively, 1992, 1993 and 1995. Flowering and seedling recruitment occurred each year from 1988 to 1995 but seedlings only survived to become mature plants from the 1988 and 1992 recruitments. The major reason for the death of seedlings was dry conditions in the latter half of the year (1 10 to 135 mm of raid6 months). Frosts and competition from Brassicaceae weeds (mainly Raphistrum rugosum) in winter and spring also contributed to death of seedlings. Recruitment of seedlings and their survival to mature plants was higher on the ungrazed-sprayed-slashed treatment than on the other treatments. Recruitment and survival on the ungrazed-only treatment occurred because Brassicaceae weeds did not establish when recruiting rains fell in summer. Plant densit increased from 0.023 plants/m2 in 1986 to, respectively, 0.86, 0.64 Y and 0.004 mature plantdm and 7.88, 6.37, 0.10 seedlings/m2 on the ungrazed-sprayed-slashed, ungrazed-only and grazed-only treatments in 1995. On the grazed-only treatment the methods used to detect seeds revealed none in the soil during the experiment. However, some seeds were present because there was a low level of recruitment none of which survived to mature plants. The number of mature plants declined from 0.023 to 0.004/m2 indicating that under the present grazing system the complete elimination of A. lappacea from pastures in north-western NSW is possible if some form of managed recruitment is not devised.

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