Seedling Emergence Method Research Articles

Testing the potential seed availability in dung samples: comparison of two seedling emergence methods

To optimize the estimation of species composition and viable seed content of herbivore faeces and to make different approaches comparable, two seedling emergence methods are evaluated. The Ter Heerdt method (TH) employs concentrated samples, potentially increasing and accelerating seedling emergence, as shown for soil samples (95% of all seedlings emerged within 6 weeks). Samples are kept under controlled conditions (glasshouse or climate room). Secondly, a common garden method (CG) using unconcentrated samples so that seasonal changes could fulfill the germination requirements of a broad species spectrum (experiment duration approximately 15 months) was applied. The methods were tested by the use of sheep faeces samples, collected during a six-day grazing period in a threatened dry grassland (Allio-Stipetum capillatae). Both methods proved largely similar in species composition (QS=0.81) and viable seed content (QS=0.69). More species (e.g. monocotyls) and a higher seedling emergence of hard-seeded species (Fabaceae and Cistaceae) were found in the CG method. Besides a higher emergence of some small-seeded winter annuals, few other species emerged exclusively by use of the TH method. Nevertheless, all species detected by only one method were found in low individual numbers (⩽4). Depending on research interest and availability of space and time, the most appropriate method can be chosen. If the main focus is on the species composition, unconcentrated faeces samples can be studied by CG. In case the overall viable seed content is more important and/or a shorter time period is available, TH serves as a suitable alternative.

Relationships between soil seed bank, vegetation and soil fertility along an urbanisation gradient

Abstract.Questions: How does urbanisation influence soil mineral nitrogen stocks (nitrate and ammonium stocks) and what are the consequences of these modifications on the functional diversity of the herbaceous vegetation (vascular plants) and the seed bank?Location: Nine study sites were located on an urbanisation gradient in the city of Rennes, France.Methods: Three urbanisation levels were defined: urban areas (high grey/green ratio), suburban (medium grey/green ratio) and periurban (low grey/green ratio). For each urbanisation level, nitrates and ammonium stocks were quantified; the herbaceous vegetation was surveyed as well as the soil seed bank (using the seedling emergence method).Results: Nitrate concentration increased with urbanisation (the nitrate level in urban plots was twice the concentration in periurban ones) whereas the ammonium level was higher in periurban areas than in urban areas. In urban plots, the vegetation and the seed bank were more nitrophilous, whereas the nitrogen requirement was lower for periurban species. The relationship between the seed bank and the above‐ground vegetation was not significant.Conclusions: The higher nitrate concentration in the urban area appeared to be related to higher concentrations of atmospheric pollutants found in this area and lower ammonium levels may be related to the higher temperature in urban areas (leading to higher nitrification rates). The shift in the composition of the seed bank and vegetation appeared to be a consequence of higher nitrate stocks. The dissimilarity between the seed bank and vegetation may be caused by enhanced emergence of nitrophilous species in urban areas.

Can atmospheric input of nitrogen affect seed bank dynamics in habitats of conservation interest? The case of dune slacks

Abstract.Questions: Does the increased atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, which can have major effects on the established vegetation of nutrient‐poor habitats, also impact germination from the soil seed bank?Location: Coastal dune slacks at Newborough Warren, Wales, UK.Methods: The effects of nitrogen addition (15 kg.ha‐1.a‐1) on seed germination from the soil seed bank were investigated using the seedling emergence method between September 2004 and February 2005.Results: More seedlings emerged from fertilised samples than unfertilised controls. Most species showed enhanced germination after fertilisation with nitrogen, with seedling numbers statistically significantly greater in nitrogen addition samples in a quarter of species abundant enough for analysis. Species that responded positively to fertilisation were species with low Ellenberg indicator values indicative of infertile sites.Conclusions: Most species showed increased germination after fertilisation with nitrogen, including early successional species normally growing in nutrient‐poor conditions. This suggests that the increased atmospheric deposition of nitrogen probably not only impacts on established vegetation, but also has the potential to alter seed bank dynamics.

The role of the soil seed bank in vegetation recovery on an oceanic island severely damaged by introduced goats

Abstract.Question: Are the seed banks of an isolated subtropical oceanic island capable of naturally regenerating vegetation either with species of the historical forest community or with the existing grassland community after severe damage to the vegetation by goats?Location: Nakoudojima Island, Bonin Archipelago (Ogasawara Shoto), Japan.Methods: Soil samples were collected at 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm depths from seven plots in forests, grasslands, artificially matted areas and bare land. Soil seed banks were assessed using the seedling emergence method followed by the hand‐sorting of ungerminated seeds. We determined the size and composition of the seed banks in upper soil layers of plots and compared the seed banks to the standing vegetation.Results: A total of 12 220 seedlings belonging to 42 species from 20 families germinated. Total mean seed density (0–5 cm depth) was low in all plots within forest, grassland, and heavily degraded vegetation types (34.7 ± 8.6 to 693.5 ± 123.6, 58.6 ± 7.8 to 107.1 ± 10.0, and 1.1 ± 0.5 to 7.2 ± 2.3 seeds/m2, respectively). Forbs and graminoids dominated the seed banks of grassland and forest plots including Cyperus brevifolius, Gnaphalium pensylvanicum, Oxalis corniculata and Solanum nigrum, and these alien species comprised 90% of the density of the seed bank. There was little correlation between seed banks and standing vegetation of the island (Sørensen similarity coefficient values 0.26 to 0.45).Conclusions: If natural regeneration occurs from the seed bank of the island, future vegetation will not move toward the original forest community, because the seed bank is dominated by non‐native herbaceous grassland species. Though isolated, a few forest remnants with low species richness could be an important source for the natural re‐establishment of forest on the island; however, seed availability may be limited by either poor dispersal or pollination so that woody species will probably recover very slowly on this goat‐impacted island.

Comparison of two methods characterising the seed bank of amphibious plants in submerged sediments

We analysed the submerged soil seed bank of three fishponds in the Waldviertel region in Austria. We aimed our study at comparing the efficiency of two methods in detecting seeds quantitatively from soil samples of four characteristic mud-flat species, i.e. Carex bohemica, Coleanthus subtilis, Elatine hexandra, and Eleocharis ovata: the seedling-emergence and the rinsing method. Additionally, the actual vegetation was described based on 65 phytosociological relevés. Soil seed bank analyses were based on 31 samples representing the vegetation zonation. Mixed soil samples were portioned into 62 subsamples further treated with the two methods in parallel. Analysis of vegetation revealed a typical zonation with Isoëto-Nanojuncetea communities from the centre of dried-up fishponds to Phragmition/Magnocaricion communities at the shorelines. The study species were detected in the soil seed banks of all vegetation types, but seed abundances were generally higher in two fishponds characterised by muddy substrate than in one sandy mesotrophic pond (with the exception of E. hexandra). Therefore beside the water regime and the vegetation cover, additional factors such as soil type are likely to influence the soil seed bank composition of submerged sediments. The quantitative comparison of the seedling-emergence and the rinsing method revealed significantly higher seed numbers by the rinsing method. As we obtained 5.7 times ( Elatine hexandra) to 17.5 times ( Coleanthus subtilis) more seeds by rinsing, the averaged detection failure across the four study species was at least 89.7% with the seedling-emergence method. In addition to this advantage in the quantitative description of submerged soil seed bank compositions, the rinsing method enables us to use seeds subsequently for conservation management and revegetation purposes.

Three seedling emergence methods in soil seed bank studies: implications for interpretation of propagule deposition in riparian zones

AbstractSamples of soil and recently deposited sediments were collected from the river bed, bank face and bank tops of two lengths (reaches) of the River Frome, Dorset, UK and one reach of the River Tern, Shropshire, UK. Soil propagule bank samples were collected in May 2003, and depositional samples were collected subsequently over four consecutive 4-month periods between June 2003 and October 2004. The samples were subjected to three emergence trials under drained, waterlogged and submerged conditions. Significantly more seedlings germinated in the drained than waterlogged trial, and waterlogged than submerged trials. Drained, waterlogged and submerged trials identified 186, 76 and 37 species, respectively. Six species identified in the waterlogged trials were not identified in the drained trials, and five species in the submerged trials were not found in the drained trials. Submerged trials added two species to the drained and waterlogged results. Application of detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) to average species abundance data, for the sampled hydrological habitats (bed, bank face, bank top) within the soil propagule bank and four depositional data sets, generated different results for the three trials. The drained treatment revealed significant differences between sites, seasons and hydrological habitats, whereas the waterlogged and submerged treatments presented an increasingly homogeneous view of the samples. Our results confirm other propagule bank emergence comparisons and extend them to depositional samples, demonstrating that the strong environmental sieves imposed by waterlogging and submergence restrict emergence of numerous terrestrial, wetland and even some aquatic species that were successfully identified using the drained conditions.

A modelling approach using seedbank and soil properties to predict the relative weed density in organic fields of an Italian pre‐alpine valley

SummaryIn 1996, a study was conducted on the seedbanks of a pre‐alpine valley in northern Italy which had been organically farmed since 1986. The seedbanks were evaluated using soil cores taken from 16 organic fields located at various altitudes and seed numbers were determined using the ‘seedling emergence method’. Thirteen soil properties were also evaluated. In 2003, the germinable seedbank was assessed in five other fields chosen at random. Soil properties were evaluated by the same method as in 1996. Using the data of the first 16 fields as the analysis data set and those of the latter five as an independent validation data set, a quadratic weed seedbank‐soil properties model was built with partial least square regression analysis. The model estimates the relative abundance of the various species as the sum of the contribution of individual soil properties and has a high predictive capacity. With a novel graphic approach, it is possible to describe the nonlinear relationship between each soil property and weed species relative abundance, giving a rational, quantitative, explanation as to why some species are widespread (e.g. Chenopodium album, Galinsoga parviflora and Chenopodium polyspermum), whereas others tend to concentrate in specific fields (e.g. Spergula arvensis). The approach can, when some hypotheses hold, give a rational basis for the explanation of the relative abundance of species in a weed community and constitutes a useful methodology for study and research.

The seed-bank of a lakeshore wetland in Lake Honghu: implications for restoration

The abundance and species composition in the seed-bank and extant vegetation were investigated in a lakeshore wetland. The seed-bank in different layers at 5 cm intervals was also studied by using the seedling-emergence method with waterlogged and submerged greenhouse treatments. Thirty-four species and 1788 seedlings germinated in the seed-bank, with a mean density of 1227 seedlings m−2 (40–2600). Thirty-one species and 22261 individuals were obtained in the extant vegetation with a mean density of 1436 seedlings m−2 (368–12632). The Margalef species richness index was 4.41 in the seed-bank and 2.99 in the extant vegetation. Little overlap (14 taxa, 43%) was found between the seed-bank and the extant vegetation. The total number of species and seedlings that germinated in different layers was significantly different. The number of species that germinated in the surface layer (21 taxa) was not significantly different from that in the second layer (27 taxa). Only 39.2% of the total number of seedlings appeared in the surface layer. Our results indicated that a lakeshore wetland seed-bank with viable seeds and high species richness can be used as a macrophyte pool in degraded wetland restoration. Vegetation produced from such a seed-bank will have species similar to the pre-disturbance assemblage. The large number of viable seeds that we found conserved in deeper layers suggests that the most valuable macrophyte pools are conserved at depth. With disturbance, these seeds could be brought back to the surface, and serve as a reserve in recruiting the extant vegetation. We suggest using the sediment containing rich viable propagules in the actual reconstruction project.

Seed bank response to wet heat and the vegetation structure of a Virginia pocosin1

Pocosins are shrub wetlands of the southeastern coastal plain maintained by fire. Increased herbaceous plant diversity has been reported after wildfire. To test the effect of radiant heating on the seed bank of pocosin-upland ecotones, wet heat treatments were applied to Sphagnum substrate from a Virginia small depression pocosin. The seedling emergence method was used to quantify wetland seedling abundance and richness. Extant vegetation was measured at each seed bank sampling area and the seed bank and vegetation were compared with Sorenson similarity values. No significant seedling abundance, richness, or evenness effects were detected among wet heat and control groups. However, the high wet heat treatment (75 °C) significantly reduced the density of Sphagnum cuspidatum capitula more than 80% relative to the control. Mean seed bank density was 6,209 seedlings/m2 (richness = 11) and was dominated by Scirpus cyperinus (97.8%), contained many early successional species. The seed bank did not closely resemble the extant vegetation. Pocosin canopy was sparse and dominated by Pinus serotina. The shrub-sapling stratum indicated co-dominance of Acer rubrum and ericaceous species, potentially indicating a shift from a shrub bog to a wet pine-hardwood community.

Do seed banks confer resilience to coastal wetlands invaded by Typha ×glauca?

Historically, seed banks conferred resilience to Laurentian Great Lakes coastal wetlands by providing propagules of many species to replace invasive plants, such as Typha ×glauca Godr. After flooding, the seed bank could allow recovery of wetland composition and structure as the water levels fall. Using the seedling emergence method to estimate seed density, species and guild richness, and floristic quality, we evaluated the resilience of five wetlands along the western coast of Green Bay, Lake Michigan by comparing seed bank attributes in areas invaded by Typha to those of neighboring uninvaded areas and to attributes of the extant vegetation. Resilience decreased from north to south among the five wetlands, mirroring a gradient of decreasing water quality. The invasive Lythrum salicaria L. dominated the seed bank of all five wetlands despite low relative abundance in the extant vegetation. The resilience of Green Bay coastal wetlands is threatened by the overwhelming presence of L. salicaria in the seed bank. Because the seed bank holds a wetland’s potential to be renewed by the natural hydrological cycle, seed bank assessment should be a routine measure of wetland resilience.

Comparison of the vegetation and seedbanks of soybean fields, adjacent boundaries, and hedgerows in Ontario

Patterns of plant assemblages in habitats located within agroecosystems are poorly understood. A study of the seedbank and standing vegetation in 10 soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] fields, their adjacent boundaries, and adjoining woody hedgerows was undertaken in Ontario. The objective was to examine the composition of plants of conservation value and weedy species in these habitats. The seedbank of each habitat was determined from soil cores in quadrats located at regular intervals along transects, using the seedling emergence method in the greenhouse. The vegetation was surveyed in plots adjacent to the seedbank sampling areas. There was no significant difference in total species richness of vegetation or the seedbank among habitat types. However, there was a marked difference in species composition. In the seedbank, no difference in weed species richness among habitats was observed. In vegetation, however, fields harboured significantly more weedy species than adjacent boundaries and hedgerows. The dissimilarity between the seedbank and the vegetation was confirmed in detrended correspondence analyses, which showed that hedgerow vegetation, and to a lesser extent boundary vegetation, differed from field vegetation and all the habitats of the seedbank. The analysis of soil properties indicated that organic matter and nutrient levels were often higher in hedgerows than in fields. It can be concluded that hedgerows are valuable habitats for plant diversity and that weed species represent a minor component of their overall vegetation composition. Key words: Agroecosystems, field boundaries, hedgerows, soil seedbank, vegetation composition

Emergência e matéria seca de plantas daninhas na cultura do mamoeiro (Carica papaya)

O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar o "banco" de sementes de plantas daninhas através do método da emergência de plântulas, na cultura do mamoeiro, em que se empregaram diferentes sistemas de manejo. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com três repetições e seis tratamentos: capina em área total; herbicida nas linhas + grade nas entrelinhas; subsolagem cruzada antes do plantio + capina em área total; subsolagem cruzada antes do plantio + herbicida nas linhas e feijão de porco nas entrelinhas; subsolagem cruzada antes do plantio + herbicida nas linhas e crotalária nas entrelinhas; e herbicida nas linhas + vegetação nativa nas entrelinhas da cultura, roçada quando necessário. A avaliação do banco de sementes foi feita aos 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias após a implantação de um bioensaio em casa de vegetação, com amostras retiradas no campo nas épocas chuvosa e seca, na profundidade de 0-15 cm. A matéria seca das plantas daninhas foi obtida utilizando-se um quadrado de 0,5 x 0,5 m, jogado a lanço quatro vezes nas parcelas. Os sistemas de manejo de capina em área total e de herbicida na linha + grade nas entrelinhas de plantio de mamoeiros, com feijão-de-porco e crotalária, reduzem o banco de sementes no solo. Dos adubos verdes, crotalária e feijão-de-porco, o primeiro altera a dinâmica do "banco" de sementes de forma mais significativa.

서울시 생태계 보전지역 3곳에서의 토양 종자은행

Soil seed banks at ecological preservation areas in Seoul, Jinkwannae-dong, Bangi-dong and Bam-sum, were studied by seedling emergence method from May to October 2004. Total number of species and individuals in seed banks were 42 and 5,190 at Jinkwannae-dong, 39 and 2,290 at Bangi-dong, and 39 and 1,047 at Bamsum. Salix koreensis community at Jinkwannae-dong has the highest number of seedlings among all sites. The most abundant species were Lindernia procumbens in Jinkwannae-dong and Bam-sum and Typha spp. in Bangi-dong. The dominant species of seed banks were different from that of plant communities such as Phragmites communis community, Salix koreensis community, Persicaria thunbergii community, Phragmites japonica community, and Populus tomentiglandulosa community. However the dominant species of seed banks in Typha community was Typha spp. Total 63 species emerged in either the wet or submerged conditions. Fifty six species appeared in the wet condition and 25 in the submerged condition. Eighteen species appeared in both conditions. Numbers of species and individuals were much less in the submerged condition than in the wet condition but free-floating hydrophytes including Rorippa islandica and floating-leaved hydrophytes including Monochoria vaginalis appeared only in the submerged condition. In the investigation of soil seed bank by distance from water edge (Bamsum), water side 3 ( from water) edge, where water level is fluctuating frequently, has the highest number of seedlings.

Defining transient and persistent seed banks in species with pronounced seasonal dormancy and germination patterns

The most often used time-line for distinguishing a transient seed bank from a persistent seed bank is one calendar year. Thus, species whose seeds live in or on the soil for <1 year have a transient seed bank, whereas those whose seeds live for ≥1 year have a persistent seed bank. However, dormancy cycling of seeds buried in soil has not been given due consideration in these models. When dormancy cycling is considered, it is shown that seeds of both autumn-germinators and spring-germinators are in the dormant state when they are 1 year old. Thus, unless the seeds live until at least the second germination season (i.e. usually 16–18 months following dispersal), they are, in effect, part of a transient seed bank, having lived through only one germination season. We propose that for seeds of such species to be considered part of a short-term persistent seed bank, they should remain viable and germinable until at least the second germination season, and to be part of a long-term persistent seed bank, until at least the sixth germination season. Our definitions are applicable to seeds with physiological, physical or morphophysiological dormancy, which often require >1 year after maturity to come out of dormancy in nature. We discuss modifications of the seedling emergence method for detection of a soil seed bank, so that they correspond to our definitions of seed-bank strategies.

Seed dispersal into wetlands: Techniques and results for a restored tidal freshwater marsh

Although seed dispersal is assumed to be a major factor determining plant community development in restored wetlands, little research exists on density and species richness of seed available through dispersal in these systems. We measured composition and seed dispersal rates at a restored tidal freshwater marsh in Washington, DC, USA by collecting seed dispersing through water and wind. Seed dispersal by water was measured using two methods of seed collection: (1) stationary traps composed of coconut fiber mat along an elevation gradient bracketing the tidal range and (2) a floating surface trawl net attached to a boat. To estimate wind dispersal rates, we collected seed from stationary traps composed of coconut fiber mat positioned above marsh vegetation. We also collected a small number of samples of debris deposited along high tide lines (drift lines) and feces of Canada Goose to explore their seed content. We used the seedling emergence method to determine seed density in all samples, which involved placing the fiber mats or sample material on top of potting soil in a greenhouse misting room and enumerating emerging seedlings. Seedlings from a total of 125 plant species emerged, during this study (including 82 in river trawls, 89 in stationary water traps, 21 in drift lines, 39 in wind traps, and 10 in goose feces). The most abundant taxa includedBidens frondosa, Boehmeria cylindrica, Cyperus spp.,Eclipta prostrata, andLudwigia palustris. Total seedling density was significantly greater for the stationary water traps (212±30.6 seeds/m2/month) than the equal-sized stationary wind traps (18±6.0 seeds/m2/month). Lower-bound estimates of total species richness based on the non-parametric Chao 2 asymptotic estimators were greater for seeds in water (106±1.4 for stationary water traps and 104±5.5 for trawl samples) than for wind (54±6.4). Our results indicate that water is the primary source of seeds dispersing to the site and that a species-rich pool of dispersing propagules is present, an interesting result given the urbanized nature of the surrounding landscape. However, species composition of dispersing seeds differed from vegetation of restored and natural tidal freshwater marshes, indicating that planting is necessary for certain species. At other restoration sites, information on densities of dispersing seeds can support decisions on which species to plant.

Soil seed banks of two montane riparian areas: implications for restoration

Understanding the role of seed banks can be important for designing restoration projects. Using the seedling emergence method, we investigated the soil seed banks of two montane, deciduous riparian forest ecosystems of southeastern Arizona. We contrasted the seed banks and extant vegetation of Ramsey Canyon, which is the site of riparian restoration activities, with that of Garden Canyon, which has been less affected by human land uses. Fewer plant species were found at Ramsey Canyon than Garden Canyon, for both the seed bank and extant vegetation, and the vegetation at Ramsey Canyon (seed bank and extant) had consistently drier wetland indicator scores. As well, vegetation patterns within sampling zones (channel margins and adjacent riparian forests) differed between canyons. At Garden Canyon channel margins, the seed bank and extant vegetation had relatively high similarity, with herbaceous wetland perennial species dominating. Extant vegetation in the floodplain riparian forest zone at Garden Canyon had a drier wetland indicator score than the seed bank, suggesting that the floodplains are storing seeds dispersed from wetter fluvial surfaces. Vegetation patterns for Ramsey Canyon channel margins were similar to those for Garden Canyon floodplains. Vegetation patterns in the Ramsey Canyon riparian forest zone were indicative of non-flooded conditions with an abundance of upland species in the soil seed bank and extant vegetation. Channel geomorphology measurements indicated that much of the riparian forest zone at Ramsey Canyon is functionally a terrace, a condition that may be a legacy of channel erosion from historic land uses. Steep, erodible channel slopes may contribute to the low seed bank germinant density at Ramsey Canyon channel margins, and narrower flood-prone area may explain the greater terrestrialization of the vegetation in both sampling zones. We recommend testing the use of donor soils from more diverse stream reaches to restore biodiversity levels at Ramsey Canyon, following restoration activities such as channel-widening. Seed banks from Garden Canyon, for example, although predominantly consisting of herbaceous perennials, would supply species with a range of moisture tolerances, life spans, and growth forms. We also recommend that restorationists take care not to harm seed banks exposed during removal of introduced species; at Ramsey Canyon, soil seed banks were equally diverse in areas with high and low cover of the introduced Vinca major (a legacy of Ramsey Canyon land use).

Soil seed bank of the waste landfills in South Korea

The restoration of urban landfill is a topic of growing interest in reclamation ecology as the acreage of abandoned sites near cities increases. The goals of this study were to assess the ecological status of waste landfills and to elucidate the role of seed banks in the establishment of vegetation at these sites. The study sites were located at five landfills around Seoul and Kyongki Province. On average, soils were sampled on 20 plots per landfill in 2001 to record species composition and to estimate the number of seeds in the soil. Soil seed bank vegetation and the individual number of seedlings that germinated were recorded using the seedling emergence method. Relative density per species was calculated from the number of individual seedlings. We conducted canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) using the program CANOCO to survey the relationships between 23 environmental variables and plant importance values. Environmental variables included categorical and numerical variables (landfill age, landfill size, distance from landfill edge, human disturbance level, slope, periodic management level) and soil physico-chemical variables (bulk density, soil moisture content, organic matter content, total N, available P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The mean seedling density per m 2 differed significantly among sites (P < 0.05). As landfill age increased, the mean seedling density per m 2 decreased. The mean seedling density of the Sangpaedong landfill, which was less than 1 year old, was higher than that found in 6- and 7-year-old landfills. The Sangpaedong landfill mainly contained seeds of Chenopodium albumL. and Digitaria ciliaris(L.) SCOP. With regard to early vegetative colonization in landfills, our results highlighted the importance of seed banks occurring in cover soils. Cover soils, derived from various sources, will determine landfill landscapes because of different seed banks present in them. The first axis of the CCA was correlated with landfill age, Na, and human disturbance level, while the second axis was correlated with landfill size, slope, periodic management level, Zn, total N, and organic matter content. Understanding seed banks in landfill cover soils is important, therefore, for proper landfill management and restoration.

Disturbance of suburban Fagus forests by recreational activities: Effects on soil characteristics, above‐ground vegetation and seed bank

AbstractQuestions: How does recreational disturbance (human trampling) affect soil characteristics, the performance of the understorey vegetation, and the density and species composition of the soil seed bank in Fagus sylvatica forests?Location: Suburban forests near Basel, northwestern Switzerland.Methods: We compared various soil characteristics and the performance of the understorey vegetation in six beech forest areas frequently disturbed by recreational activities with those in six undisturbed control areas, in spring 2003. In the same forest areas, the soil seed bank was investigated using the seedling emergence method. Samples were obtained from soil cores in January 2003.Results: We found substantial changes in soil compaction, above‐ground vegetation and in the soil seed bank due to recreational activities. In frequently visited areas, soil compaction was enhanced which caused a decrease in cover, height and species richness of both herb and shrub layers. Compared with control areas, the number of trampling‐tolerant species of the seed bank was significantly higher in disturbed areas, and total species richness tended to be higher in disturbed than in control areas. Furthermore, the similarity in species composition between the above‐ground vegetation and seed bank was significant lower in disturbed than in control areas.Conclusions: The intensive use of suburban forests for recreational activities, mainly picnicking, affects the vegetation of natural beech forests. Our study indicates that a restoration of degraded forest areas from the soil seed bank would result in a substantial change of the vegetation composition.

Dispersal of vascular plants by game in northern Germany. Part II: Red deer (Cervus elaphus)

The endozoochorous dispersal of vascular plant species by red deer (Cervus elaphus) was investigated in three forest areas of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. The primary aim of this study was to determine of which plant species and in what numbers diaspores are dispersed by red deer, an animal with eminently large home ranges during a single day as well as over the year. A second aim was to examine the significance of endozoochory for plant species composition and diversity in forests. Special emphasis was placed on whether there are differences between the three study sites and in the course of the vegetation period. Freshly deposited faecal pellet groups were collected in the forests on five dates between May and November 2002 and viable seed content was determined by greenhouse germination (seedling emergence method). A total of 28,009 individuals representing 59 vascular plant species were detected in 220 dung samples. Red deer appears thus as an important vector for endozoochorous dispersal of plants. The number of seedlings found in the faecal pellets differs between plant species and research areas as well as in the course of the vegetation period. Dung seed content is largely dominated by one species, Urtica dioica. Grouping the species found in dung according to their habitat preference showed that mainly species that occur in forests as well as in open vegetation and non-forest species were dispersed endozoochorously, while species occurring mainly under a closed canopy were present in the excrements only in low numbers.

Disturbance of suburban Fagus forests by recreational activities: Effects on soil characteristics, above-ground vegetation and seed bank

Abstract Questions: How does recreational disturbance (human trampling) affect soil characteristics, the performance of the understorey vegetation, and the density and species composition of the soil seed bank in Fagus sylvatica forests? Location: Suburban forests near Basel, northwestern Switzerland. Methods: We compared various soil characteristics and the performance of the understorey vegetation in six beech forest areas frequently disturbed by recreational activities with those in six undisturbed control areas, in spring 2003. In the same forest areas, the soil seed bank was investigated using the seedling emergence method. Samples were obtained from soil cores in January 2003. Results: We found substantial changes in soil compaction, above-ground vegetation and in the soil seed bank due to recreational activities. In frequently visited areas, soil compaction was enhanced which caused a decrease in cover, height and species richness of both herb and shrub layers. Compared with control areas, the numb...