A seed trap for monitoring the seed rain in terrestrial communities

Monitoring the seed rain of a species, population, or community is important to quantify that component of life history that follows anthesis yet precedes establishment in the seed bank or as a seedling. I have developed a unique seed trap that is ideal for monitoring the seed rain of a grassland community. The trap consists of a 10-cm diameter funnel attached by Velcro to one end of a 15-cm long PVC pipe. The trap is sunk into the ground with 1.5–2 cm protruding above the soil surface to prevent soil and ground-dwelling insects from entering the trap. A small cotton bag is attached to the stem of the funnel and acts as the reservoir for trapped seeds. I was able to trap propagules ranging in size from 0.5-mm seeds (Juncus interior) to > 2 cm long awned spikelets (Andropogon gerardii). Because this trap minimizes prédation, is easy to construct and monitor, and is inexpensive, it is superior to traps used by previous researchers. Key words: seed trap, seed rain, sampling methodology.

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The impact of groundwater level on soil seed bank survival

Seed Science Research ◽

10.1017/s0960258500004323 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 399-404 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

R. M. Bekker ◽

M. J. M. Oomes ◽

J. P. Bakker

Keyword(s):

Water Level ◽

Seed Bank ◽

Groundwater Level ◽

Soil Seed Bank ◽

Soil Surface ◽

High Water ◽

Stellaria Media ◽

Grassland Community ◽

High Water Level ◽

The Impact

AbstractSeed longevity of plant species is an important topic in restoration management, and little is known about the effects of environmental conditions on seed survival and longevity under natural conditions. Therefore, the effect of groundwater level on the survival of seeds in the soil seed bank of a natural grassland community was investigated. Large soil cores, mesocosms, were sampled from a grassland site and transferred to two basins under a glass roof. The mesocosms were subjected to different groundwater-level treatments (high and low, respectively 5 and 30 cm below the soil surface) for nearly three years. After that period the soil seed bank of the mesocosms was sampled. In total 15 789 seeds of 38 taxa emerged from the experiment. Significant differences between the number of viable seeds that emerged in the two treatments were found for several species. More seeds ofGlyceria fluitans, Cardamine pratensisandMyosotis palustrisgerminated in the high water-level treatment, whereas fewer seeds ofJuncusspp.,Cerastium fontanumandStellaria mediawere found in this treatment than in the low water-level treatment. The experiment showed that the anoxic conditions prevailing in the high water-level treatment were beneficial to the survival of seeds of species of wet grassland communities. Species of dry grasslands, although represented by only two species, survived better under aerobic conditions.

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Local seed rain and seed bank in a species-rich grassland: effects of plant abundance and seed size

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b06-136 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 84 (12) ◽

pp. 1870-1881 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Anna Jakobsson ◽

Ove Eriksson ◽

Hans Henrik Bruun

Keyword(s):

Seed Size ◽

Seed Bank ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Seed Rain ◽

Positive Relationships ◽

Plant Abundance ◽

M 10 ◽

Seed Trap ◽

Perennial Grassland ◽

The Relationship

In this study, we examined the relationship between seed size, seed rain, and seed bank in a species-rich perennial grassland in Sweden. The seed rain was monitored by 100 seed traps placed in a 10 m × 10 m area for 1 year. The seed bank was sampled by taking 100 soil samples, each in close vicinity to a seed trap. Abundance of reproductive ramets in the area was estimated, since this is likely to affect the proportion of hit seed traps and seed bank samples. When abundance of reproductive ramets was accounted for, we found a negative relationship between seed size and proportion of hit seed bank samples, but we found no relationship between seed size and proportion of hit seed traps. We found strong positive relationships between the abundance of reproductive ramets and proportion of hit seed traps and seed bank samples. We also found strong positive relationships between abundance of reproductive ramets and abundance of seeds in the seed rain and the seed bank, but no relationship between seed size and abundance of seeds in the seed rain or the seed bank. We discuss these results in the context of theory suggesting that large-seeded and small-seeded species may coexist because of a trade-off between colonization and competitive abilities, where smaller-seeded species are able to reach more sites than seeds of larger-seeded species, because they are more numerous and (or) better dispersed.

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Seed-bank properties of an Appalachian sphagnum bog and a model of the depth distribution of viable seeds

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b87-277 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 65 (10) ◽

pp. 2028-2035 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

James B. McGraw

Keyword(s):

Depth Profile ◽

Seed Bank ◽

Soil Surface ◽

High Elevation ◽

Seed Rain ◽

Historical Change ◽

Seed Burial ◽

Depth Profiles ◽

A Minor ◽

Sphagnum Bog

Seed banks were examined in four plant communities in a high-elevation sphagnum bog in West Virginia, U.S.A. A germination assay was used to detect germinable seed densities. Vertical depth distributions were determined for one community in which the soil cores were transported intact to the greenhouse. Seed densities ranged from 12 874 in a Sphagnum-dominated community to 377 041 seeds m−2 in a sedge-dominated community. The seed bank in all communities was dominated numerically by Juncus effusus, although this species comprised a minor part of the aboveground vegetation. Three types of depth profiles were observed, including one distribution showing a simple decline in seed numbers with depth, another showing a unimodal peak below the soil surface, and a third with two distinct peaks at depth. A matrix model of seed burial was devised to account for the different depth profiles. By assuming that soil compression occurred and that the rate of compression declined with time, the model showed that either of the first two depth profiles could be produced with no need to invoke a historical change in the seed rain. The model was unable to account for the bimodal depth profile with the assumption of a constant seed rain. However, the fact that the model of seed burial could explain a unimodal peak in the depth profile suggests that simple historical interpretations of past abundance using a buried seed profile are difficult.

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Weed Seed Pools Concurrent with Corn and Soybean Harvest in Illinois

Weed Science ◽

10.1614/ws-07-195.1 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 503-508 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Adam S. Davis

Keyword(s):

Seed Bank ◽

Soil Seed Bank ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Seed Rain ◽

Weed Seed ◽

Weed Species ◽

East Central ◽

Giant Foxtail ◽

Central Illinois ◽

Prickly Sida

At the time of grain harvest, weed seeds can be classed into one of four pools on the basis of dispersal status and location: (1) undispersed, remaining on the mother plant; (2) dispersed in the current year, on the soil surface; (3) dispersed in the current year and collected by harvest machinery; and (4) dispersed in a previous year and persisting within the soil seed bank. Knowledge of the relative sizes of these seed pools for different weed species under different crop environments will be useful for determining the best way to reduce the size of inputs to the soil seed bank. In fall 2004 and fall 2005, four randomly selected commercially managed corn and soybean fields in east-central Illinois were sampled to quantify weed seed pools at time of crop harvest. Thirty randomly located 0.125-m2quadrats were placed within each field, the four seed pools mentioned above were sampled for each quadrat, and the species composition and abundance of each seed pool was determined. The magnitude of the weed seed rain varied among species and between years and crops. Twenty-six weed species were found to contribute to at least one of the four seed pools. However, the weed seed pools were consistently dominated by six species: velvetleaf,Amaranthuscomplex (redroot pigweed and waterhemp), ivyleaf morningglory, giant foxtail, prickly sida, and common cocklebur. For each of these species, the ratio of undispersed seeds to seeds in the soil seed bank at harvest time was ≥ 1 in at least one crop during one of the two experimental years, indicating a potential for the soil seed bank to be completely replenished or augmented by that year's seed rain. This analysis demonstrates the urgent need for techniques to limit weed seed inputs to the soil seed bank at the end of the growing season.

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

Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology ◽

10.3724/sp.j.1258.2011.00035 ◽

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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A simple standardized protocol to evaluate the reliability of seed rain estimates

Seed Science Research ◽

10.1017/s0960258520000392 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

André J. Arruda ◽

Fernando A.O. Silveira ◽

Elise Buisson

Keyword(s):

Restoration Ecology ◽

Community Dynamics ◽

Size Dependence ◽

Seed Rain ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Sticky Traps ◽

Standardized Protocol ◽

Funnel Trap ◽

Seed Trap ◽

Cross Site

Abstract Seed dispersal has key implications for community dynamics and restoration ecology. However, estimating seed rain (the number and diversity of seeds arriving in a given area) is challenging, and the lack of standardization in measurement prevents cross-site comparisons. Seed trap effectiveness and accuracy of seed sorting methods are key components of seed rain estimates in need of standardization. We propose and describe a standardized protocol for evaluating the effectiveness of two seed trap types (sticky and funnel traps) and the accuracy of a seed sorting method. We used widely available seeds (arugula, quinoa, sesame and sunflower) to produce a gradient of seed size, weight and colour. Proof-of-concept was tested in a tropical grassland, where traps were set for 30 days. Our results suggest that we underestimate dispersal of seeds with less than 2 mm width that can be easily mistaken for debris and soil particles or that fail to adhere to sticky traps. Seeds on sticky traps may be more vulnerable to removal by wind and rain, whereas seeds in funnel traps are more susceptible to decay. We found no evidence of observer bias on seed sorting for funnel trap samples. However, accuracy on seed sorting for funnel trap samples tended to decline for seeds with less than 2 mm width, suggesting a size-dependence in seed retrieval success. Our standardized protocol addressing trap effectiveness and seed sorting methods will increase the reliability of data obtained in seed rain studies and allow more reliable comparisons between datasets.

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

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12040500 ◽

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.

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Seed banking in ancient forest species: why total sampled area really matters

Seed Science Research ◽

10.1017/s0960258511000481 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 123-133 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Jan Plue ◽

Ken Thompson ◽

Kris Verheyen ◽

Martin Hermy

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Seed Bank ◽

Deciduous Forests ◽

Forest Species ◽

Sampling Methodology ◽

Total Species Richness ◽

Ancient Forest Species ◽

Ancient Forest ◽

Temperate Deciduous ◽

Temperate Deciduous Forests

AbstractThis study investigates how methodological aspects of seed-bank sampling affect seed-bank records in temperate deciduous forests. We focused explicitly on seed-bank records of ancient forest species, which are assumed to lack a persistent seed bank; a hypothesis suspected to be partly due to methodological shortcomings. Through a quantitative review of 31 seed-bank studies in temperate deciduous forests of central and north-west Europe, we quantified the role of sampling methodology in constraining total seed-bank records and seed-bank records of ancient forest species (γ-diversity, average species' retrieval frequency and average seed density). A major methodological trade-off was established between sampled plot area and the number of plots: at an increased number of plots, the area sampled per plot decreased significantly. The total surface area sampled in a study was the primary determinant of γ-diversity, both for overall species richness and for ancient forest species richness. A high retrieval frequency of ancient forest species indicated that few plots were intensively sampled. The parallel increase in total species richness and ancient forest species richness and the non-significance of their ratio in relation to methodological variables suggests that ancient forest species are not particularly rare in the seed bank compared to other species. These results imply that sampling methodology has a far-reaching impact on seed-bank records such as γ-diversity, the detection of ancient forest species and ultimately seed-bank composition. We formulate a set of guidelines to improve the quality of seed-bank studies in temperate deciduous forests.

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