Abstract
Abstract We studied germinable seed banks in soil associated with grasslands, relatively young (<40 years) Juniperus ashei (Ashe juniper), and long-established Quercus virginiana var. fusiformis (plateau live oak) patches of woody plants in a central-Texas savanna to ascertain the degree to which Ashe juniper alters the seed bank of sites previously inhabited by grassland vegetation, and to assess how seed banks differ beneath two common types of patches associated with woody plants in this savanna ecosystem. Across all habitats and over an annual growth cycle, 3,364 seedlings representing 116 species emerged from these seed banks. Annual forbs were the dominant life form in all habitats (62% of seedlings). The fraction of perennial forb and graminoid seedlings was comparable (19 versus 18%, respectively), and seedlings of woody plants were rare. Density, diversity, and species composition of seed banks varied significantly among the three habitats. Seed banks in grassland and live oak were most dissimila...
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
