Seed-bank characteristics in mixed-mesophytic forest clearcuts and edges: Does "edge effect" extend to the seed bank?

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 992-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick E Landenberger ◽  
James B McGraw
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Edge Effect ◽  
Edge Effects ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Seed Density ◽  
Forest Edges ◽  
Seed Shadow ◽  
Mesophytic Forest ◽  
Total Seed

Little is known about the seed banks of mixed-mesophytic forest clearcuts or their associated forest edges. Seed banks were described and compared to better understand how seed density, species richness, and composition change with increasing distance from clearcuts. Thirty-two taxa were found in the seed bank of clearcuts, and 44 were found in adjacent forest edges. Annuals represented 41% of seeds in clearcuts, but only 8% in edges, while trees and shrubs represented 3% in both areas. Seed-bank density and species richness varied significantly within and between clearcuts, but clearcuts were no different in seed-bank density and richness from interior forest seed banks. Seed-bank density declined significantly with distance from clearcuts on west-facing forest edges, but demonstrated no discernable spatial pattern on south-facing edges. Overall, edge effects from clearcutting on adjacent forest seed banks were demonstrated in total seed density and in several common wind-dispersed, early-successional herbaceous species, including Erechtites hieraciifolia (L.) Raf. and Lobelia inflata L., and Vitis, a common ingestion-dispersed species. The seed-shadow edge effect may influence both current and future community characteristics and population dynamics of vegetation in mixed-mesophytic forest edges adjacent to clearcuts.Key words: seed banks, clearcutting, edge effects, mixed-mesophytic forest, West Virginia.

The impact of duration of drainage on the seed banks of northern prairie wetlands

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 1878-1884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol E. Wienhold ◽  
A. G. van der Valk
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Seed Density ◽  
Prairie Wetlands ◽  
Vegetation Surveys ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Wetland Species ◽  
Total Seed ◽  
The Impact

To determine the potential role of seed banks in the restoration of drained wetlands, the seed banks of 30 extant and 52 drained and cultivated prairie potholes were sampled in Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota; the potholes had been drained between 5 and 70 years ago. The midsummer vegetation of most of these potholes was also sampled. The number of species in the seed bank of a pothole declined from a mean of 12.3 in extant potholes to 7.5, 5.4, 5.0, 7.4, 3.2, and 2.1 in potholes drained up to 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 70 years ago, respectively. The mean total seed density of extant potholes was 3600 seeds/m2. It increased to 7000 seeds/m2 up to 5 years after drainage, but then declined rapidly to 1400, 1200, 600, 300, and 160 after up to 10, 20, 30, 40, and 70 years after drainage. Changes in both species richness and seed density with increasing duration of drainage varied from state to state. About 60% of the species present in the seed banks of extant or recently drained wetlands were not detected in wetlands that had been drained for more than 20 years. Vegetation surveys of extant and drained wetlands indicated that as many or more wetland species not detected in the seed bank were present in the vegetation, as there were wetland species in the seed bank.

scholarly journals Natural vegetation regeneration from soil seed banks in the cultivated edges of Sudd wetlands in Juba, Southern Sudan

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josephine Esaete ◽  
Augustine Bongo ◽  
Thomas Lado ◽  
Tomor Bojoi ◽  
Henry Busulwa
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Interquartile Range ◽  
Seed Density ◽  
Soil Seed Banks ◽  
Species Richness And Diversity

Soil seed banks are important for regeneration of degraded wetlands ecosystems. The Sudd wetlands of Juba city have long been encroached for crop cultivation. Seedling germination was monitored in a greenhouse to establish possible natural regeneration in Mindiari, Rejaf and Roton wetlands in the Sudd. Sixty-four species germinated from the soil seed bank of which 12.5% were dominated by Cyperus difformis and Typha capensis. The findings showed that median wetland species richness in Mindiari was 1.5 (interquartile range = 0.75?3.5), Rejaf 2.5 (interquartile range = 1.0 ? 4.0), Roton 3 (interquartile range = 1.0 ? 5.0) while median Shannon-Wiener diversity was 1.5 (1.14 ?1.73), 1.43 (1.01?1.66), 1.15 (0.98?1.67) for Mindiari, Rejaf and Roton respectively. Both the median seed species richness and diversity were not significantly different among the study wetlands. The median of seed density (56.1) was significantly higher in Roton than in Mindiari (36.7) and Rejaf (29.4) wetlands. The NMDS results showed that species composition of Mindiari and Rejaf was different from Roton. It is concluded that growing crops in wetlands did not influence species richness and diversity but it reduced seed density and altered species composition. Although wetland species were not significantly different in the three-wetland categories, dominance of canopy species belonging to Typhaceae and Cyperaceae indicates that these species are resilient to cultivation and could facilitate natural regeneration of cultivated wetlands edges of the Sudd region in Juba. Further research should examine effect of cultivation duration and flooding regimes on soil seed bank species richness, diversity, and density and composition.

Effects of disturbance and altitude on soil seed banks of tropical montane forests

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Lippok ◽  
Florian Walter ◽  
Isabell Hensen ◽  
Stephan G. Beck ◽  
Matthias Schleuning
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Seed Density ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Forest Edges ◽  
Soil Seed Banks ◽  
Forest Remnants

Abstract:Vast areas of tropical forests have been deforested by human activities, resulting in landscapes comprising forest fragments in matrices of deforested habitats. Soil seed banks (SSB) are essential sources for the regeneration of tropical forests after disturbance. In a fragmented montane landscape in the Bolivian Andes, we investigated SSB in three different habitat types that were associated with different degrees of disturbance, i.e. in forest interior, at forest edges and in deforested habitats. Sampling of habitats was replicated at six sites ranging in altitude from 1950 to 2450 m asl. We extracted seeds from dried soil samples by sieving, classified seeds into morphospecies and size classes, and characterized SSB in terms of density, species richness and composition. We tested effects of disturbance (i.e. habitat type) and altitude on SSB characteristics. Overall, small seeds (<1 mm) dominated SSB (81% of sampled seeds). Seed density and species richness were lowest in deforested habitats, especially in large seeds and distant from adjacent forests (≥20 m), while small-seeded species were most numerous near forest margins. Species turnover between habitats was high. Altitude altered the composition of SSB, but had no effects on seed density and species richness. We conclude that the potential of SSB for natural regeneration of deforested habitats is low and decreases with increasing distance from forest remnants and that forest edges may be eventually invaded by small-seeded species from deforested habitats.

scholarly journals Characterization and ecological significance of a seed bank from the Upper Pennsylvanian Wise Formation, southwest Virginia

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra S. Yehnjong ◽  
Michael S. Zavada ◽  
Chris Liu
Keyword(s):  
Seed Size ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Evolutionary Strategy ◽  
Predator Population ◽  
Seed Density ◽  
Soil Seed Banks ◽  
Large Seed

AbstractSoil seed banks are important to the maintenance and restoration of floras. Extant seed banks exhibit unique characteristics with regard to the distribution of seed size and seed density. Seeds were recovered from the Upper Pennsylvanian Wise Formation in southwest Virginia. Structurally preserved seeds were also examined from coal balls of the Pennsylvanian Pottsville and Allegheny Groups, Ohio. The size distribution of the seeds from the Wise Formation is similar to that of structurally preserved seeds of the Upper Pennsylvanian Pottsville and Allegheny Group coal balls. In contrast, the seed size distributions in extant wetland, grassland, woodland and forest habitats are significantly narrower than that of seeds from the Pennsylvanian seed banks. Larger seeds are less dependent on light for germination, and aid in seedling establishment more than smaller seeds, especially in dense stable forests where disturbance events are rare. Large seed size may contribute to increased seed longevity, which reduces the effect of environmental variability on seed germination and development. The significantly larger size of the Palaeozoic seeds may have imparted an advantage for seedling establishment in the dense Palaeozoic forests. The preponderance of large seeds may be a result of the absence of large seed predators (e.g. herbivorous tetrapods), and may have been an evolutionary strategy to minimize damage to the embryo from a predator population dominated by small invertebrates with chewing or sucking mouthparts. The estimated seed density of 192 seeds/m2in the Palaeozoic seed bank falls within the range of modern seed banks, but at the lower end of modern seed bank densities in a variety of habitats.

Seed-bank contributions to regeneration of shrub species after clear-cutting and burning

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Morgan ◽  
L. F. Neuenschwander
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Thuja Plicata ◽  
Seed Density ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Clear Cutting

Seed banks contributed significantly to regeneration of early seral shrubs after clear-cutting and fall broadcast burning of dense coniferous forests of the Thuja plicata/Clintonia uniflora habitat type in northern Idaho. Seeds were separated from 36 samples of soil and surface organic matter from 15 uncut forest stands. Total seed density averaged 1151 ± 1896 seeds/m2, and seed density for individual shrub species ranged from 1 ± 3 to 690 ± 1728 seeds/m2. Canopy cover of the "obligate" seed bank species, such as Ceanothus sanguineus and Prunus emarginata, was low or nonexistent in uncut forests, seed constancy and density in seed bank were high, and seedling regeneration on 2-year-old burns was abundant. Species that were "non-reliant" on seed banks, including Symphoricarpos albus and Rosa gymnocarpa, resprouted and no seedlings were found after burning. Response of "opportunistic" seed-bank species such as Rubus parviflorus and Rubus ursinus was intermediate; both seedling and sprout regeneration occurred after cutting and burning. These species existed in uncut stands both in the seed bank and in the understory. Burn severity affected germination and (or) seedling survival of Ceanothus sanguineus. Its percent canopy cover was greater on high-severity than on low-severity 2-year-old burns.

Impact of sheep grazing on the soil seed bank of a managed ephemeral wetland: implications for management

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Nicol ◽  
Sally Muston ◽  
Paula D'Santos ◽  
Bernard McCarthy ◽  
Sylvia Zukowski
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Typha Domingensis ◽  
Ephemeral Wetland ◽  
Cuscuta Campestris

The seed bank is an important mechanism for the persistence of species in ephemeral wetlands, but grazing by domestic stock may change the seed bank and in turn the capacity of the system to recover from disturbance. The sediments of two areas in Thegoa Lagoon (Murray–Darling Basin), one area grazed by sheep when dry and the other ungrazed, were examined. The objective of the study was to determine whether and how the (1) germinable seed bank and (2) final plant communities differ between the grazed and ungrazed areas. The seed banks were subjected to one of the following three water depths: 5 cm above the surface of the water, 5 cm below the surface and 50 cm below the surface. The composition of the seed bank was determined by using the seedling-emergence technique for 12 weeks, with seedlings removed every 2 weeks. The final plant communities were determined at 12 weeks without removing seedlings. The seed bank from the grazed area had a significantly lower seed density (5600 ± 593 seeds m–2) and species richness (7 species) than the ungrazed area (37 683 ± 4492 seeds m–2, 16 species) (ANOVA: F1, 10 = 50.16, P < 0.0001). The floristic composition of the seed bank was also significantly different between the areas (NPMANOVA: F1, 10 = 15.44, P = 0.0032). Glinus lotoides was in higher abundance in the grazed area and Alternanthera denticulata, Persicaria lapathifolium, Polygonum plebium, Typha domingensis and Centipeda cunninghamii in the ungrazed area. Similarly, the final communities derived from the grazed and ungrazed areas were significantly different from each other (NPMANOVA: F1, 10 = 15.53, P = 0.0032). Greater numbers of Centipeda cunninghamii were present in the community from the grazed area and Alternanthera denticulata and Cuscuta campestris were present in larger numbers in the community from the ungrazed area. Water depth also had an impact on germination; no germination occurred in seed banks flooded to 50 cm and one Typha domingensis seedling was observed in a sample flooded to 5 cm. These results showed that grazing reduces the density and species richness of the seed bank and in turn changes the plant communities derived from the seed bank; however, if grazing is removed pest plants such as Cuscuta campestris may require control. In addition, managed drawdown or water-level fluctuations are important in exposing wetland sediments and allowing for species to recruit from the seed bank.

scholarly journals Seed survival for three decades under thick tephra

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiro Tsuyuzaki
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Seed Density ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Seed Survival ◽  
Total Seed ◽  
Exotic Seeds

AbstractSeed longevity in situ is a prerequisite for understanding the life histories and community dynamics of species, although long-term longevity under thick tephra has not been documented because of a lack of opportunity and/or awareness. The seed bank for this study was estimated by both germination and flotation tests. Seeds of 17 species have survived with high density, having been buried under thick tephra for 30 years, since the 1977–1978 eruptions on Mount Usu, Hokkaido Island, northern Japan. The total seed density was >1000/m2. Rumex obtusifolius was the most common seed-bank species for 30 years, but decreased in density between 20 and 30 years. More seeds of Hypericum erectum occurred in deeper soil. The total seed density decreased gradually for 30 years, but H. erectum and Juncus effusus did not decline. Native seeds tended to be viable longer than exotic seeds. These results suggest that small, native seeds tend to survive longer with deep burial, while the more numerous weedy, exotic seeds located at the soil surface declined faster. The seed bank provides long-term monitoring of seed survival under natural conditions, and could be used to detect genetic changes.

Soil seed bank composition over desert microhabitats: patterns and plausible mechanisms

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (12) ◽  
pp. 1809-1816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Marone ◽  
Víctor R Cueto ◽  
Fernando A Milesi ◽  
Javier Lopez de Casenave
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Seed Density ◽  
Seed Composition ◽  
Monte Desert ◽  
Total Seed ◽  
Seed Dynamics ◽  
Primary Dispersal

We assessed soil seed bank composition and size over several microhabitats of two habitats of the central Monte Desert of Argentina (open Prosopis woodland and Larrea shrubland) to analyse differences among them. Seed densities were similar to those already reported for other deserts, but we found consistent differences in seed composition among microhabitats. Whereas grass seeds (e.g., Aristida, Pappophorum, Neobouteloua, Trichloris, Digitaria) prevailed in natural depressions of open areas, forb seeds (e.g., Phacelia, Lappula, Descurainia, Plantago, Chenopodium) were more abundant under trees. The comparison of seed production during primary dispersal (i.e., seed rain) with seed density on the ground at the end of dispersal indicated that most forb seeds entered the habitat through the micro habitats located beneath the canopy of trees and tall shrubs, and remained there after redistribution. Most grass seeds, by contrast, entered it through bare-soil and under-grass microhabitats, and reached more even distributions after secondary dispersal, especially because of dramatic losses in bare soil. Patterns of plant recruitment and seed dynamics in specific microhabitats were better understood when differences of soil seed bank composition, but not of total seed density, were taken into account.Key words: Monte Desert, seed dispersal, seed predation, seed production, seeds.

Can spatial variation and inter-annual variation in precipitation explain the seed density and species richness of the germinable soil seed bank in a tropical dry forest in north-eastern Brazil?

Flora ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 208 (7) ◽  
pp. 445-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Melo dos Santos ◽  
Kleber Andrade da Silva ◽  
Ulysses Paulino de Albuquerque ◽  
Josiene Maria Falcão Fraga dos Santos ◽  
Clarissa Gomes Reis Lopes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Soil Seed Bank ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Seed Density ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
North Eastern

Seed banks of an Arizona Pinus ponderosa landscape: responses to environmental gradients and fire cues

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 552-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott R. Abella ◽  
Judith D. Springer ◽  
W. Wallace Covington
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Seed Density ◽  
Soil Seed Banks ◽  
Tree Canopies ◽  
Dense Tree

We measured soil seed banks in 102 plots within a 110 000 ha Arizona Pinus ponderosa landscape, determined seed-bank responses to fire cues and tree canopy types (open or densely treed patches), compared seed-bank composition among ecosystem types, and assessed the utility of seed banks for ecological restoration. Liquid smoke was associated with increased community-level emergence from seed banks in greenhouse experiments, whereas heating to 100 °C had minimal effect and charred P. ponderosa wood decreased emergence. We detected 103 species in seed-bank samples and 280 species in aboveground vegetation. Erigeron divergens was the commonest seed-bank species; with the exception of Gnaphalium exilifolium , species detected in seed banks also occurred above ground. Although a dry, sandy-textured black-cinder ecosystem exhibited the greatest seed density, seed-bank composition was more ecosystem-specific than was seed density. Native graminoids (e.g., Carex geophila and Muhlenbergia montana ) were common in seed banks, whereas perennial forbs were sparse, particularly under dense tree canopies. Our results suggest that (i) smoke may increase emergence from seed banks in these forests, (ii) seed banks can assist establishment of major graminoids but not forbs during ecological restoration, and (iii) seed-bank composition is partly ecosystem-specific across the landscape.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document