Soil seed banks in Pinus ponderosa forests in Arizona: Clues to site history and restoration potential

Question: How does the relationship between the viable soil seed bank species composition and the above‐ground vegetation in northern Arizona Pinus ponderosa forests differ under varying historical land use disturbances (low, intermediate, high)? Is above‐ground vegetation correlated to the viable soil seed bank immediately following soil disturbance from restoration thinning treatments? Location: Northern Arizona, USA. Methods: Soil seed bank samples were taken along replicated transects and collected with a 5‐cm diameter bulk density hammer. Samples included a 5 ‐cm diameter O‐horizon sample (at varying depths) plus the underlying mineral soil to a depth of 5 cm. The seedling emergent method was used to quantify seed bank species composition and density. The herbaceous and shrub plant community was quantified along the same transects using the point intercept method. Results: Early‐successional or ruderal species were common in the soil seed bank at all three disturbance sites. Non‐native species, notably Verbascum thapsus, were more numerous (up to 940 seeds/m²) under high disturbance with overgrazing and logging, and less common or absent under low disturbance. Most viable seeds were found in the O‐horizon and the upper 5 cm of mineral soil; there was little correlation between species in the soil seed bank and the above‐ground vegetation. Conclusions: We recommend that restoration plans be geared toward minimizing activities, such as severe soil disturbance, that may promote the spread of non‐native invasive species, and that manual seeding be explored as an option to restore plant species diversity and abundance.     

Seed bank diversity in mesic grasslands in relation to vegetation type,management and site conditions

Questions: 1. Do different management types (i.e. hay meadow, silage meadow, meadow‐pasture, pasture) have different impact on the size and composition of the seed bank of mesic grassland (Arrhenatheretalia)? 2. How strong is the effect of management on the seed bank in relation to above‐ground vegetation, edaphic factors and land‐use history? 3. Are there differences in C‐S‐R plant strategy types and seed longevity under different management regimes? Location: Lahn‐Dill Highlands in central‐western Germany. Methods: Above‐ground vegetation and the soil seed bank of 63 plots (at 21 sites) in mesic grasslands were studied. Differences between management types in quantitative seed bank traits and functional characteristics were tested by ANOVA. The impact of management, above‐ground vegetation, site conditions and land‐use history on seed bank composition were analysed by partial CCA. Results: Management had no significant impact on species richness and density of the seed bank but significantly influenced their floristic composition and functional characteristics. CCA revealed that even after adjustment for soil chemical parameters and above‐ground vegetation management still had significant impact on seed bank composition. ANOVA revealed that silage meadows contained higher proportions of R‐strategy compared to hay meadows. In contrast, in hay meadows and meadow‐pastures proportions of S‐strategy were higher than in silage meadows. Conclusions: The type of grassland management has little impact on quantitative seed bank traits. Management types with a high degree of disturbance lead to an increase of species following a ruderal strategy in the seed bank. Irrespective of management type only a limited proportion of characteristic grassland species is likely to re‐establish from the seed bank after disappearance from above‐ground vegetation.     

Hidden biodiversity in the Arctic – a study of soil seed banks at Disko Island,Qeqertarsuaq, West Greenland

Seed dispersal is a key process in plant community dynamics, and soil seed banks represent seed dispersal in time rather than in space. Despite their potential importance, seed bank dynamics in the Arctic are poorly understood. We investigated soil seed banks and corresponding plant community composition in three contrasting vegetation types in West Greenland, viz. dwarf shrub heaths, herb slopes and fell‐fields. Through germination testing, 31 species were documented in soil seed banks. All of these were herbaceous, while no dwarf‐shrub species, which represents the dominating growth form in the above‐ground vegetation, were emerging from the seed bank. Consequently, across vegetation types, the lowest similarity between seed bank and above‐ground vegetation was found in dwarf shrub heath. Nine plant species were exclusively found in seed bank, all of which were non‐clonal forbs. Seed bank size (total number of seeds) and species richness seemed to increase with the level of natural disturbance. Additionally, we examined the effect of different experimental light and temperature conditions on the quantity and diversity of germinating seeds. The difference in diversity in vegetation and seed bank at the species level will impact population dynamics, regeneration of vegetation after disturbances and its potential to respond to climate change.     

Long‐term seed bank dynamics in a temperate forest under conversion from coppice‐with‐standards to high forest management

Questions: How do changes in forest management, i.e. in disturbance type and frequency, influence species diversity, abundance and composition of the seed bank? How does the relationship between seed bank and vegetation change? What are the implications for seed bank dynamics? Location: An ancient Quercus petraea — Carpinus betulus forest in conversion from coppice‐with‐standards to regular Quercus high forest near Montargis, France. Methods: Seed bank and vegetation were sampled in six replicated stand types, forming a chronosequence along the conversion pathway. The stand types represented mid‐successional stages of stands in transition from coppice‐with‐standards (to high forest (16 plots) and early‐ and mid‐successional high forest stands (32 plots). Results: Seed bank density and species richness decreased with time since last disturbance. Adjusting for seed density effects obscured species richness differences between stand types, but species of later seres were nested subsets of earlier seres, implying concomitant shifts in species richness and composition with time since disturbance. Later seres were characterized by species with low seed weight and high seed longevity. Seed banks of early seres were more similar to vegetation than to later seres. Conclusions: Abandonment of the coppice‐with‐standards regime altered the seed bank characteristics, as well as its relationship with vegetation. Longer management cycles under high forest yield impoverished seed banks. For their persistence, seed bank species will increasingly rely on management of permanently open areas in the forest landscape. Thus, revegetation at the beginning of new high‐forest cycles may increasingly depend on inflow from seed sources.     

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

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 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.     

Response of the soil seed‐bank of Cumberland Plain Woodland to heating

Abstract Soil was investigated in a Cumberland Plain Woodland community to determine the presence of a soil seed‐bank and whether species richness and abundance of plants germinating from it were affected by heating such as that experienced in a fire. Soil samples were taken from the Holsworthy Military Area, in the south‐eastern region of the Sydney Basin, New South Wales, Australia, and one of four treatments was applied; soil was heated to 80°C, 40°C, unheated or unheated with litter not removed. Sixty‐eight species, representing 26 families including 11 exotic and 57 native species germinated from the soil. Herbs and grasses dominated and were in similar proportions to those surveyed in the above‐ground vegetation, suggesting that the soil seed‐bank reflected the current structure of the vegetation, although species composition differed. Species responded differently to heating. The seeds of some species germinated when heated at a higher temperature (80°C), particularly those from the family Fabaceae, whereas other species were more common in unheated or lightly heated samples (40°C). This suggests that fire is likely to change the species composition of the above‐ground vegetation and indicates that management must ensure that species that do not germinate when heated are maintained, as well as those species that germinate following heating. A large proportion of soil seed‐bank species showed low germination rates in the trials, and 112 above‐ground species did not germinate in the soil samples. We do not understand whether species of these two sets do not produce a soil‐stored seed‐bank or whether the seed‐bank has been depleted by past practices at Holsworthy. Further research is needed.     

Can soil seed banks contribute to the restoration of dune slacks under conservation management?

Questions: Does the soil seed bank resemble the former early successional stages of a dune slack system more than the established later successional vegetation? Does it have the potential to contribute to the conservation of a highly endangered habitat? Location: Dune slacks at Newborough Warren, UK. Methods: The composition of the soil seed bank in two depth layers was determined using the seedling emergence method between March 2004 and April 2005. Long-term monitoring data on the floristic composition of the established vegetation were obtained from the national conservation agency, and additional monitoring was undertaken in 2003. Floristic composition, seed weights, seed longevity of component species and Ellenberg indicator values were used to compare the seed bank and established vegetation. Results: The soil seed bank was diverse and contained typical dune slack species, species of early successional stages and species of conservation interest. A comparison between the composition of the seed bank and historical data on the composition of the established vegetation showed that the seed bank reflects earlier successional stages more closely than the current aboveground vegetation. This study increases the scarce information currently available on the seed bank ecology of several species, including two orchid species. Conclusions: The soil seed bank can be expected to contribute to vegetation change after disturbance. Stimulation of germination from the seed bank through management may contribute to the conservation of both characteristic and threatened species typical of dune slacks.     

Seed bank assembly follows vegetation succession in dune slacks

Question: Is the seed bank in dune slacks during the whole successional range mainly composed of early successional species or does it vary according to the changing vegetation? Location: Belgium, western part of the coast. Methods: We investigated the soil seed bank composition using a seedling germination method in a chronosequence of 20 dune slacks, ranging in age from five to 55 yr. Results: Both seed density and species richness in the seed bank were very low in the first successional stages and increased with age, mainly as a result of increasing seed production. The similarity between seed bank and vegetation was higher in older slacks. A comparison of characteristics between seed bank and vegetation showed that the seed bank was, to a large extent, composed of later successional species. Occurrence patterns of individual species also showed that seeds become incorporated in the soil after the species has established in the vegetation. Conclusion: The seed bank is not likely to be the driving force for successional changes in the vegetation, and successional changes rely on dispersal. Some early successional species persist in the seed bank, but generally only in low numbers. The results also confirm that most typical dune slack species do not form persistent seeds, so that re‐establishment from the seed bank is not to be expected when the species has disappeared from the vegetation.     

Local above‐ground persistence of vascular plants: Life‐history trade‐offs and environmental constraints

Questions: 1. Which plant traits and habitat characteristics best explain local above‐ground persistence of vascular plant species and 2. Is there a trade‐off between local above‐ground persistence and the ability for seed dispersal and below‐ground persistence in the soil seed bank? Locations: 845 long‐term permanent plots in terrestrial habitats across the Netherlands. Methods: We analysed the local above‐ground persistence of vascular plants in permanent plots (monitored once a year for ca. 16 year) with respect to functional traits and habitat preferences using survival statistics (Kaplan‐Meier analysis and Cox’ regression). These methods account for censored data and are rarely used in vegetation ecology. Results: Local above‐ground persistence is determined by both functional traits (especially the ability to form long‐lived clonal connections) and habitat preferences (especially nutrient requirements). Above‐ground persistence is negatively related to the ability for dispersal by wind and to the ability to accumulate a long‐term persistent soil seed bank (‘dispersal through time’) and is positively related to the ability for dispersal by water. Conclusions: Most species have a half‐life expectation over 15 years, which may contribute to time lags after changes in habitat quality or ‐configuration (‘extinction debt’). There is evidence for a trade‐off relationship between local above‐ground persistence and below‐ground seed persistence, while the relationship with dispersal in space is vector specific. The rate of species turnover increases with productivity.     

Factors influencing above‐ground and soil seed bank vegetation diversity at different scales in a quasi‐Mediterranean ecosystem

Questions

Are factors influencing plant diversity in a fire‐prone Mediterranean ecosystem of southeast Australia scale‐dependent?

Location

Heathy woodland, Otways region, Victoria, southeast Australia

Methods

We measured patterns of above‐ground and soil seed bank vegetation diversity and associated them with climatic, biotic, edaphic, topographic, spatial and disturbance factors at multiple scales (macro to micro) using linear mixed effect and generalized dissimilarity modelling.

Results

At the macro‐scale, we found species richness above‐ground best described by climatic factors and in the soil seed bank by disturbance factors. At the micro‐scale we found species richness best described above‐ground and in the soil seed bank by disturbance factors, in particular time‐since‐last‐fire. We found variance in macro‐scale β‐diversity (species turnover) best explained above‐ground by climatic and disturbance factors and in the soil seed bank by climatic and biotic factors.

Conclusions

Regional climatic gradients interact with edaphic factors and fire disturbance history at small spatial scales to influence species richness and turnover in the studied ecosystem. Current fire management regimes need to incorporate key climatic–disturbance–diversity interactions to maintain floristic diversity in the studied system.

     

Fire and regeneration: the role of seed banks in the dynamics of northern heathlands

Questions: How do species composition and abundance of soil seed bank and standing vegetation vary over the course of a post‐fire succession in northern heathlands? What is the role of seed banks – do they act as a refuge for early successional species or can they simply be seen as a spillover from the extant local vegetation? Location: Coastal Calluna heathlands, Western Norway. Methods: We analysed vegetation and seed bank along a 24‐year post‐fire chronosequence. Patterns in community composition, similarity and abundances were tested using multivariate analyses, Sørensen's index of similarity, vegetation cover (%) and seedling counts. Results: The total diversity of vegetation and seed bank were 60 and 54 vascular plant taxa, respectively, with 39 shared species, resulting in 68% similarity overall. Over 24 years, the heathland community progressed from open newly burned ground via species rich graminoid‐ and herb‐dominated vegetation to mature Calluna heath. Post‐fire succession was not reflected in the seed bank. The 10 most abundant species constituted 98% of the germinated seeds. The most abundant were Calluna vulgaris (49%; 12 018 seeds m^?2) and Erica tetralix (34%; 8 414 seeds m^?2). Calluna showed significantly higher germination the first 2 years following fire. Conclusions: Vegetation species richness, ranging from 23 to 46 species yr^?1, showed a unimodal pattern over the post‐fire succession. In contrast, the seed bank species richness, ranging from 21 to 31 species yr^?1, showed no trend. This suggests that the seed bank act as a refuge; providing a constant source of recruits for species that colonise newly burned areas. The traditional management regime has not depleted or destroyed the seed banks and continued management is needed to ensure sustainability of northern heathlands.     

The impact of flooding regime on the soil seed bank of flood‐meadows

Abstract. We assessed the significance of flooding for the floristic composition of seed banks in flood‐meadows of the northern valley of the Upper Rhine. We compared three hydrological compartments of the alluvial plain, consisting of the regularly flooded land between the river and low summer dykes (functional flood‐plain), the occasionally flooded land between summer dykes and high winter dykes (hybrid floodplain) and the land behind the winter dykes, which is now only submerged by ascending groundwater (fossil flood‐plain). Due to their different flooding regime, the three compartments should differ with respect to the prevailing conditions of diaspore input. The seed density of soil samples increased with the duration of flooding in the three compartments, while species richness and the proportion of species not occurring in the vegetation was constant. The increase in seed density can be largely attributed to an increase of disturbance indicators, which are present in the above‐ground vegetation and capable of forming a long‐term persistent seed bank. No effects of flooding on the composition of seed banks in the three flood‐plain compartments were found. The differences in seed bank composition can be largely explained by corresponding differences in above‐ground vegetation and former and present‐day meadow management. Seeds of species absent from above‐ground vegetation can be attributed to the local species pool present in the immediate vicinity of the study plots. We discuss consequences of the results for the restoration of species‐rich flood‐plain meadows.     

Persistent soil seed banks and floristic diversity in Fagus orientalis forest communities in the Hyrcanian vegetation region of Iran

We assessed the size of seed bank, species diversity and similarity between seed bank and standing vegetation in four oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) community types of the central Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran. For this purpose a total of 52 relevés was established in two associations and two subassociations of the beech forests, and six soil samples (20 × 20 cm square and to a depth of 10 cm) were collected in each relevé in mid-spring, after the germination season had ended. Soil seed bank was investigated using the seedling emergence method. A total of 63 species, 57 genera and 36 families was represented in the persistent soil seed bank of the forest communities. The seed bank contained 28 species not found as adult plants in the vegetation, but these were mostly early successional species. Size of the seed bank ranged from 3740 to 4676 individuals m⁻² in the Rusco hyrcani-Fagetum orientalis and Danae racemosae-Fagetum orientalis associations, respectively. Species composition of seed banks and aboveground vegetation had low similarity with an average of 24.3% in the four plant communities, because only 38% of the species were the same in the vegetation and the seed banks. Most seeds in the seed bank were from early successional species, and the only tree with a large persistent seed bank was the fast-growing pioneer Alnus subcordata. DCA ordination also demonstrated low similarity between soil seed bank and vegetation. The soil seed banks of the four beech communities did not differ significantly in size, composition, diversity and uniformity. Although above ground vegetation in the four community types is floristically distinct, there is considerable overlap among the soil seed banks because they contain in a similar way early successional species. Further, the absence of typical forest species in the soil seed bank indicates that restoration of forest tree species cannot rely on the soil seed bank.     

Depth distribution and composition of seed‐banks in alien‐invaded and uninvaded fynbos vegetation

South African fynbos vegetation is threatened on a large scale by invasive woody plants. A major task facing nature conservation managers is to restore invaded areas. The aim of this study was to determine the restoration potential of fynbos following dense invasion by the Australian tree Acacia saligna. The impacts of dense invasion on seed‐bank composition and depth distribution were investigated to determine which fynbos guilds and species have the most persistent seed‐banks. Soil samples were excavated at three different depths for invaded and uninvaded vegetation at two sand plain and mountain fynbos sites. Seed‐banks were determined using the seedling emergence approach. Invasion caused a significant reduction in seed‐bank density and richness at all sites. There was a significant, but smaller, reduction in seed‐bank density and richness with soil depth at three sites. Seed‐bank composition and guild structure changed following invasion. Low persistence of long‐lived obligate seeders in sand plain fynbos seed‐banks indicates that this vegetation type will be difficult to restore from the seed‐bank alone following alien clearance. The dominance of short‐lived species, especially graminoids, forbs and ephemeral geophytes, suggests that regenerating vegetation will develop into a herbland rather than a shrubland. It is recommended that seed collecting and sowing form part of the restoration plan for densely invaded sand plain sites. As seed density remained higher towards the soil surface following invasion, there is no general advantage in applying a mechanical soil disturbance treatment. However, if the shallow soil seed‐bank becomes depleted, for example following a hot fire through dense alien slash, a soil disturbance treatment should be given to exhume the deeper viable seed‐bank and promote recruitment.     

Ecosystem response to removal of exotic riparian shrubs and a transition to upland vegetation

Understanding plant community change over time is essential for managing important ecosystems such as riparian areas. This study analyzed historic vegetation using soil seed banks and the effects of riparian shrub removal treatments and channel incision on ecosystem and plant community dynamics in Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona. We focused on how seeds, nutrients, and ground water influence the floristic composition of post-treatment vegetation and addressed three questions: (1) How does pre-treatment soil seed bank composition reflect post-treatment vegetation composition? (2) How does shrub removal affect post-treatment riparian vegetation composition, seed rain inputs, and ground water dynamics? and (3) Is available soil nitrogen increased near dead Russian olive plants following removal and does this influence post-treatment vegetation? We analyzed seed bank composition across the study area, analyzed differences in vegetation, ground water levels, and seed rain between control, cut-stump and whole-plant removal areas, and compared soil nitrogen and vegetation near removed Russian olive to areas lacking Russian olive. The soil seed bank contained more riparian plants, more native and fewer exotic plants than the extant vegetation. Both shrub removal methods decreased exotic plant cover, decreased tamarisk and Russian olive seed inputs, and increased native plant cover after 2 years. Neither method increased ground water levels. Soil near dead Russian olive trees indicated a short-term increase in soil nitrogen following plant removal but did not influence vegetation composition compared to areas without Russian olive. Following tamarisk and Russian olive removal, our study sites were colonized by upland plant species. Many western North American rivers have tamarisk and Russian olive on floodplains abandoned by channel incision, river regulation or both. Our results are widely applicable to sites where drying has occurred and vegetation establishment following shrub removal is likely to be by upland species.     

Composition,size and dynamics of the seed bank in a mediterranean shrubland of Chile

Abstract Analysis was performed of the richness and abundance of woody species, forbs, and annual grasses in the easily germinating soil seed bank (henceforth seed bank) in a mediterranean shrubland of central Chile. The effects of successional development after fire and by microsite type (underneath or outside shrubs) on the density of seeds in the soil, and the relationship of species abundance in the seed bank with its abundance in the above‐ground vegetation was examined. A total of 64 plant species were recorded in the seed bank, of which 44 were annual or biannual. Eight species were woody and another eight were perennial herbs. Four could not be identified to species level. The highest richness of established herbaceous species was recorded in late spring, with 31 species. The regeneration of the herbaceous vegetation was driven by the annual production of seeds and by a reserve of short‐lived propagules in the soil. Density of all germinating seeds was significantly higher during late spring and late summer. Density of grass seeds was greater during late spring, while that of all other species was greater during late summer. Annual grass seeds accumulated in higher proportion at exposed microsites rather than under woody canopy, and in young (< 5 years old) and intermediate‐age patches (10–20 years old) rather than in mature vegetation (30–50 years old). The abundance of established woody and herb species was uncorrelated with that of the seed bank.     

Soil seed bank dynamics in alpine wetland succession on the Tibetan Plateau

The primary goal was to address several questions with regard to how soil seed banks change in a successional series. How does the composition of the viable seed bank change, and how does the relationship of the soil seed bank and vegetation change with succession? Can the seed bank be regarded as a potential as a source of seeds for wetland restoration? We collected soil seed bank samples and sampled the vegetation in four different successional stages and used the NMDS (nonmetric multidimensional scaling) to evaluate the relationship of species composition between the seed banks and vegetation. The difference of seed density and species richness in different habitats and soil depths also was compared. Viable seeds of half (37) the species in the early-successional stage were found in all the successional stages. Similarity between seed bank and vegetation increased with succession. Both seed density and species richness in the seed bank increased with successional age and decreased with soil depth. The majority of species from the early-successional stage produced long-lived seeds. Seed density and species richness increased with succession, mainly as a result of increasing seed production, and hypotheses predicting decreasing density of buried seeds and species richness were not confirmed. Seed banks play a minor role in contributing to the regeneration of vegetation, and managers cannot rely on soil-stored seed banks for restoration of wetlands.     

Restoration of ditch bank plant species richness: The potential of the soil seed bank

Abstract. Small‐scale landscape elements, such as ditch banks, play an important role in preserving plant species richness in agricultural landscapes. In this study, we investigate whether the seed bank might be useful for restoring the above‐ground plant species richness. We studied the vegetation and seed bank composition at six species‐rich and six species‐poor ditch banks, where agri‐environment schemes are running to maintain and enhance ditch bank plant diversity. We show that the number of species in the seed bank was low, regardless of the number of species in the established vegetation. Moreover, the seed bank was always dissimilar to the established vegetation. Target species for nature conservation were occasionally present in the seed bank at both species‐poor and species‐rich sites, but rarely so if the species was absent from the established vegetation. We conclude that the potential use of the seed bank for restoration of ditch banks is minimal. At present, plant species richness seems to be largely controlled by germination opportunities; high biomass and competition appear to hamper germination at species‐poor sites. We recommend continued nutrient reduction at such sites. Soil disturbance measures and deliberate sowing should also be considered.     

Seed bank dynamics and tree‐fall gaps in a northwestern Mexican Quercus‐Pinus forest

Questions: How does the seed bank respond to different types of tree‐fall gaps and seasonal variations? How does the soil seed bank influence recovery of the standing vegetation in the mature forest and tree‐fall gaps? Location: 1800 — 2020 m a.s.l., Quercus‐Pinus forest, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Methods: Seed size, species composition and germination were estimated under different environmental conditions during dry and rainy seasons: a mature forest plot and gaps created by dead standing trees, snapped‐of f trees and uprooted trees. The soil seed bank was investigated using direct propagule emergence under laboratory conditions, from soil cores obtained during both seasons. Results: 21 species, 20 genera and 14 families constitute the seed bank of this forest community. Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Lamiaceae were the most frequently represented families in the seed bank. Floristic composition and species richness varied according to the different modes of tree death. Species composition of seed banks and standing vegetation had very low similarity coefficients and were statistically different. Seed bank sizes varied between 164 and 362 ind.m^‐2 in the mature forest plot for the dry and rainy seasons, respectively, while soil seed bank sizes for gaps ranged between 23–208 ind.m^‐2 forthe dry season and between 81–282 ind.m^‐2 for the rainy season. Conclusions: Seed bank sizes and germination response were always higher in the rainy season under all the environmental conditions analysed. Results suggest that timing responses to gap formation of the soil seed bank could be more delayed in this temperate forest than expected.     

Fire effects on the soil seed bank and post‐fire resilience of a semi‐arid shrubland in central Argentina

Soil seed bank is an important source of resilience of plant communities who suffered disturbances. We analysed the effect of an intense fire in the soil seed bank of a semi‐arid shrubland of Córdoba Argentina. We asked if the fire affected seed abundance, floristic and functional composition of the soil seed bank at two different layers (0–5 cm and 5–10 cm), and if fire could compromise the role of the soil seed bank as a source of resilience for the vegetation. We collected soil samples from a burned site and from a control site that had not burned. Samples were installed in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. During 12 months, we recorded all germinated seedlings. We compare soil seed bank with pre‐fire vegetation in terms of floristic and functional composition. The high‐intensity fire deeply affected the abundance of seeds in the soil, but it did not affect its floristic or functional composition. Floristic and functional composition of soil seed banks – at burned and unburned sites‐ differed markedly from that of the pre‐fire vegetation, although a previous study at the same site indicated high resilience after fire of this plant community. Our results indicate that resilience of this system is not strongly dependent on direct germination from seeds buried in the soil. Other sources of resilience, like colonization from neighbouring vegetation patches and resprouting from underground organs appear to gain relevance after an intense fire.