Methodological bias in the seed bank flora holds significant implications for understanding seed bank community functions

• Persistent seed banks are a key plant regeneration strategy, buffering environmental variation to allow population and species persistence. Understanding seed bank functioning within herb layer dynamics is therefore important. However, rather than assessing emergence from the seed bank in herb layer gaps, most studies evaluate the seed bank functioning via a greenhouse census. We hypothesise that greenhouse data may not reflect seed bank‐driven emergence in disturbance gaps due to methodological differences. Failure in detecting (specialist) species may then introduce methodological bias into the ecological interpretation of seed bank functions using greenhouse data.
• The persistent seed bank was surveyed in 40 semi‐natural grassland plots across a fragmented landscape, quantifying seedling emergence in both the greenhouse and in disturbance gaps. Given the suspected interpretational bias, we tested whether each census uncovers similar seed bank responses to fragmentation.
• Seed bank characteristics were similar between censuses. Census type affected seed bank composition, with >25% of species retrieved better by either census type, dependent on functional traits including seed longevity, production and size. Habitat specialists emerged more in disturbance gaps than in the greenhouse, while the opposite was true for ruderal species. Both censuses uncovered fragmentation‐induced seed bank patterns.
• Low surface area sampling, larger depth of sampling and germination conditions cause underrepresentation of the habitat‐specialised part of the persistent seed bank flora during greenhouse censuses. Methodological bias introduced in the recorded seed bank data may consequently have significant implications for the ecological interpretation of seed bank community functions based on greenhouse data.

     

天然东北红豆杉土壤种子库研究

在黑龙江省穆棱东北红豆杉自然保护区内,对10株天然东北红豆杉结实母树冠下的土壤种子库进行了调查分析.结果表明:东北红豆杉土壤种子库中的种子数量在垂直方向和水平方向上都表现出明显的规律性.在不同深度土层中的种子数量差异显著(p＜0.05).枯枝落叶层及0～5cm土层集中了最大量的种子,占总量的84%,随土层深度的增加,种子数量逐渐减少,15cm以下极少有种子出现.土壤种子库中具有活力的种子数量极少,不到总量的1%.种子丧失活力的首要原因是被昆虫和啮齿类动物啃食,占损失量的52%,其次是腐烂,占29%.在水平方向上,东北红豆杉种子具有近母株分布的特点,且在不同方向上种子数量差异极显著(p＜0.01).当年下落到地面的东北红豆杉种子,按远离母株的顺序,种子数量逐渐减少;在围绕母株的八个方向上,东向的种子数量最多,其次是东北、北和东南方向,西面的种子数量最少.当年下落的3%的完好种子补充到土壤种子库中.自然条件下,东北红豆杉以种子繁殖,土壤种子库是其自然更新及种群恢复的重要基础,本研究结果对于东北红豆杉濒危机制的探索及种群恢复具有重要的理论意义.     

科尔沁沙地植被恢复演替进程中群落土壤种子库研究

研究了科尔沁沙地植被恢复演替进程中各群落土壤种子库种类组成、密度以及物种多样性等特征。主要结论是:①科尔沁沙地植被退化后的恢复演替是一种次生的中途恢复演替。演替各阶段土壤种子库密度为流动沙丘<半流动沙丘<固定沙丘,从流动到半流动沙丘阶段,土壤种子库密度平均增加了709%;从半流动到固定沙丘阶段,土壤种子库密度平均增加了393%。从流动到半流动沙丘阶段是土壤种子库密度的快速增长期。②植被恢复演替过程中,土壤种子库组成均以1年生草本植物为主(优势度为60.40%~91.83%),到演替中后期阶段,多年生草本植物的种类有所增加,但其所占比例仍很小。③演替各阶段群落种子库物种多样性指数分别为0.6616、0.7736、0.7281、1.0939、1.0648和0.9682,可见种子库物种多样性最高的群落并非是演替历史最大的群落。④恢复演替系列各阶段土壤种子库间的相似性系数都较大,在0.368~1.000范围之内,任一群落总是与其下一阶段最邻近的群落具有最高的相似性系数。     

云南南部和中部地区公路旁紫茎泽兰土壤种子库分布格局

公路边缘生境促进外来植物的入侵,土壤种子库作为植被天然更新的物质基础对未来植被的构成至关重要。研究路旁生境中紫茎泽兰土壤种子库的分布格局,对揭示路旁紫茎泽兰种群的补充和更新、探讨公路与入侵植物之间的关系以及科学制定紫茎泽兰防除对策具有重要意义。本文在紫茎泽兰入侵的云南南部和中部地区选择三种不同级别的9条公路的23个取样地点,沿垂直于公路方向设置55条样线,采得374个10 cm?10 cm?10 cm土样。采用温室萌发法,研究了紫茎泽兰土壤种子库从公路沿线到邻近景观的储量、影响因子以及分布格局。结果表明：9条公路旁的土壤中贮藏着丰富的紫茎泽兰种子,其种子库密度变动于3 152～25 225 粒?m-2,占所有有效种子密度的平均比例为48.7%。公路级别、路旁景观类型和海拔对路旁紫茎泽兰种子库密度有显著影响,密度随公路级别的提高而增加;不同路旁景观类型中的种子库密度排序为：稀树林>稀树灌木林>撂荒地和荒坡>森林;海拔1 700～1 900 m范围内的种子库密度最大。不同样线的种子库密度值随垂直于公路的距离变化格局略有不同,平均密度值和平均种子数量占样线总数的比例值都呈单峰变化,在距离公路最近端已经有很高密度,大多数样线的高峰值出现在9 m以内。公路旁已经分布有一个紫茎泽兰种子带,因而提高路旁本地植物的盖度及郁闭度有利于控制紫茎泽兰通过种子更新进一步扩散。     

Ecological correlations between the persistence of the soil seed bank and several plant traits,including seed dormancy

It was empirically showed that seed size and life history correlate with the formation of a soil seed bank. Although no empirical data are available that indicate a close relationship between seed dormancy and the soil seed bank, dormancy has been considered essential to the formation of a soil seed bank. I have considered the formation of the soil seed bank and survival of seeds for more than a year in the soil, and the persistence and survival of the seed bank for more than 5 years. These periods were derived from the definition of a persistent seed bank and the criterion for seed banks of long-term persistence. Plant traits that are closely related to the formation or persistence of a seed bank and their relationships to dormancy were analysed using two pre-existing databases of seed longevity in soil and comparative ecology. The integrated database comprised 18 plant traits and seed bank formation or persistence data. This approach was used to identify more reliable general empirical rules. The results of a regression tree analysis and common statistical tests of plant traits indicated that only life history and seed size were closely related to seed bank formation, and dormancy was not essential for the formation and persistence of a seed bank. However, the contribution of dormancy differed slightly between dormancy types. Scarification or dry storage requirements to break dormancy slightly enhanced the formation and persistence of a seed bank, whereas a chilling requirement decreased the formation and persistence of a seed bank. In contrast, fluctuating temperature requirements clearly contributed to the formation and persistence of a seed bank.     

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.     

Genesis of a soil seed bank on a primary succession in the Central Alps (Ötztal,Austria)

Soil seed bank and standing vegetation were investigated on the Rotmoos Glacier foreland (Ötztal, Tyrol, Austria) along the chronosequence (i.e. on the pioneer, early, and late successional stage) as well as on a subalpine pasture beyond the glacier foreland (old successional stage). We aimed to answer the following questions: (1) How large are soil seed banks along the successional gradient? (2) Do the seed banks reflect the actual standing vegetation or do they remember earlier successional stages or do they represent already the next successional stage?     

松嫩碱化草甸土壤种子库格局、动态研究进展

草地退化是全球干旱和半干旱草地生态系统的共同特征,由于土壤种子库在植被恢复和生物多样性维持等方面的重要作用,已成为研究热点。作为重要的脆弱生态系统,松嫩碱化草甸在人类活动和全球变化影响下发生了明显退化。松嫩碱化草甸土壤种子库研究始于20世纪90年代,主要集中在对虎尾草群落、星星草群落、碱蓬群落、羊草群落等不同演替阶段土壤种子库物种种类、密度、季节变化研究;该地区土壤种子库的物种数目随着恢复演替由初级向高级阶段而呈现逐渐增加的趋势,但物种数目均相对较少,且多以1年生为主。另外对种子雨和某些物种种子散布动态也有零星报道,主要是从群落水平进行的研究,种子雨的空间异质性表现在其组成和大小因群落而异。今后需要加强对松嫩碱化草甸土壤种子库格局与关键生境要素的耦合特征、种子库分布格局的形成机制等研究,研究方法上,引入稳定同位素标记和分子遗传学等研究方法和手段,开展持久种子库的长期定位监测研究,为盐碱地植被恢复提供理论依据。     

草地沙化过程地上植被与土壤种子库变化特征

研究了草地沙漠化过程地上植被与土壤种子库的变化特征。获如下结论：(1)草地沙漠化过程地上植被与土壤种子库物种多样性的衰减模式不同,土壤种子库植物种数从潜在沙漠化阶段(固定沙地)到中度沙漠化阶段(半流动沙地)变化很小,而从中度沙漠化到严重沙漠化阶段(流动沙地)衰减速度明显加快;地上植被种数随着沙漠化程度增加而下降,其中从中度沙漠化到严重沙漠化发展阶段衰减幅度最大。(2)地上植被与土壤种子库密度随着沙漠化程度增加而下降,但下降速率因沙漠化发展阶段不同而异,从固定到半固定沙地是地上植被与土壤种子库密度下降最快的时期。(3)地上植被与土壤种子库共有种数随着沙漠化程度的增加而减少,从而导致了地上与土壤种子库群落组成的相异性增大。(4)4种退化沙地土壤种子库组成的相似性要高于地上植被,表明在沙漠化过程中土壤种子库群落组成的稳定性要高于地上植被。(5)地上植被密度与土壤种子库密度存在显著相关性,其关系可用二次曲线来描述。     

围封沙质草甸土壤种子库与幼苗库的特征

采用野外定点取样和萌发实验相结合的方法,研究了科尔沁沙地围封沙质草甸土壤种子库和幼苗库的特征.结果表明:土壤种子库总密度为13854±1651有效种子数/m2,而幼苗库的总密度为808±164株/m2,仅为土壤种子库总密度的6%,土壤种子库与幼苗库总密度之间存在显著的差异 F=36.0,n=219,P<0.001 .土壤种子库与幼苗库的植物种数分别为37和44,其中一、二年生草本植物分别占种子库与幼苗库植物种数的62%和50%,而多年生草本植物所占的比例分别为24%和41%,灌木所占的比例很小,分别为14%和9%.土壤种子库与幼苗库种类组成上的相似性系数为0.667,表现出较小的异质性.土壤种子库密度与幼苗库密度之间存在显著的相关性,其间关系可用三次曲线来描述.     

Fate of the soil seed bank of giant ragweed and its significance in preventing and controlling its invasion in grasslands

Giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida, L. henceforth referred to as GR), an annual non‐native invasive weed, may cause health problems and can reduce agricultural productivity. Chemical control of GR in grasslands may have irreversible side effects on herbs and livestock. In an attempt to propose a solution to the harmful effects of GR on grasslands, this study explores the fate of its soil seed bank (SSB) and considers the physical control of its SSB reduction. By studying GR distributed in grasslands of the Yili Valley, Xinjiang, China, we measured the spatial and temporal changes in seed density, seed germination, dormancy, and death. We analyzed seed germination, dormancy, and death following different storage periods. The study analyzed population characteristics over time, including seed fate, and examined physical control methods for reducing the SSB density. The SSB of GR occurs in the upper 0–15 cm of soil in grasslands. Seed density in the SSB decreased by 68.1% to 82.01% from the reproductive growth period to the senescence period. More than 98.7% of the seeds were rotten, eaten, germinated, dispersed, or died within one year after being produced. The seed germination rate of the SSB decreased with the number of years after invasion. When stored for 0.5 or 3.5 years, seed germination rates fell by 40%, during which time seed death rate increased by almost 40%. When GR was completely eradicated for two consecutive years, the SSB and population densities decreased by >99%. The vast majority of GR seeds germinated or died within one year; the germination rate decreased significantly if the seeds were stored dry at room temperature for a long time. Newly produced seeds are the main source of seeds in the SSB. Therefore, thoroughly eradicating GR plants for several years before the seeds can mature provides an effective control method in grasslands.     

辽东山区长白落叶松（Larix olgensis）种子雨和种子库

长白落叶松是东北地区主要的用材树种,其种子雨和种子库研究鲜见报道。在辽东山区用收集器收集的种子分析了长白落叶松种子雨组成、质量和扩散距离,每隔2个月调查1次种子库数量,并结合靛蓝染色法测定每次种子的活力来分析土壤种子库动态。结果表明,辽东山区的长白落叶松种子雨从8月中旬开始,9月末到10月初达到高峰期,11月初结束。在起始期,种子雨以干瘪的不完整种子为主,而从高峰期开始,种子雨以完整种子为主。整个长白落叶松种子雨中不完整种子约占种子雨总量的45%,这些不完整种子由被动物取食、空粒和病虫害危害种子组成。完整种子的平均生活力为56.4%,即有活力的种子仅占整个种子雨的30%。种子雨集中在母树周围,在林缘1次扩散距离一般不超过1.5倍树高。种子雨到达地面之后,主要分布在枯枝落叶层,土壤0~5 cm层有少量分布,土壤5 cm以下没有种子分布;土壤种子库的种子主要在翌年雪融化后开始萌发、被取食、搬运以及腐烂,其中腐烂种子数占45.4%,动物取食为30.0%。种子库的种子数量和活力在冬季没有明显变化,而在翌年,种子数量和活力明显减少,4、6月和8月份种子数量分别为(506.3±35.56) 粒  m^-2,(267.1±17.47)粒  m^-2 和(143.6±9.83)粒  m^-2,对应的活力分别为47.8%±4.68 %,19.4%±3.39 %和0 %,这表明长白落叶松种子不能在地面形成连续的种子库。     

森林草原过渡带持久土壤种子库沿降水梯度的格局

为了解全球气候变化背景下森林草原过渡带持久土壤种子库对未来降水减少的响应,本研究以呼伦贝尔森林草原过渡带为研究区域,沿降水梯度采集0～10 cm土层的持久土壤种子库样本,研究种子库密度、物种组成、多样性及其与地上植被的关系,并利用结构方程模型研究年降水量对持久土壤种子库的直接影响及其通过地上植被和土壤有效氮、有效磷、土壤pH值产生的间接影响。结果表明: 随着降水量的降低,种子库密度和物种丰富度有增加趋势,森林草原过渡带草地土壤种子库物种多样性高于森林。土壤种子库与地上植被相似性整体较低。结构方程模型结果显示,年降水量对种子库的密度和物种丰富度的总效应为负效应,标准路径系数为-0.051和-0.122。年降水量对种子库的密度和物种丰富度的直接效应为正效应,降水量通过土壤全氮对种子库密度和物种丰富度产生显著的间接正效应,通过土壤pH和土壤有效磷对种子库物种丰富度产生显著的间接负效应,通过土壤pH对种子库密度产生显著的间接负效应。气候变化下降水减少会改变植物应对风险的策略,森林草原过渡带的持久土壤种子库对应对未来可能发生的降水减少具有一定的缓冲作用。     

Influence of inbreeding depression on a lake population of Nymphoides peltata after restoration from the soil seed bank

The negative effects of inbreeding depression on fragmented small populations are likely to be expressed more strongly after restoration efforts if regeneration processes have been highly restricted in degraded habitats. We examined the potential influences of inbreeding depression on a population of Nymphoides peltata (Menyanthaceae) restored from the remnant soil seed bank. A hand-pollination experiment demonstrated self-compatibility of a single remaining homostyle genet and significant inbreeding depression in selfed progeny, especially in parameters related to seedling growth (–0.6 for biomass, and –0.4 for relative growth rate). Our genetic analysis indicated that the presumed number of parents contributing to the current soil seed bank was only 2–8 genets and that a single sib-family dominated at each of three sampling sites. The results also showed that the selfed progeny of the homostyle genet were overwhelmingly dominant at two sites (86.8 and 94.7%). As a result, the growth performance of the seed bank seedlings was significantly reduced, to a level as low as that of the selfed progeny. Active restoration efforts to minimize the negative effects of the genetic bottleneck and continuous monitoring based on genetic and demographic study are recommended.     

Ecological longevity of Polaskia chende (Cactaceae) seeds in the soil seed bank,seedling emergence and survival

• Soil seed banks are essential elements of plant population dynamics, enabling species to maintain genetic variability, withstand periods of adversity and persist over time, including for cactus species. However knowledge of the soil seed bank in cacti is scanty. In this study, over a 5‐year period we studied the seed bank dynamics, seedling emergence and nurse plant facilitation of Polaskia chende, an endemic columnar cactus of central Mexico.
• P. chende seeds were collected for a wild population in Puebla, Mexico. Freshly collected seeds were sown at 25 °C and 12‐h photoperiod under white light, far‐red light and darkness. The collected seeds were divided in two lots, the first was stored in the laboratory and the second was use to bury seeds in open areas and beneath a shrub canopy. Seeds were exhumed periodically over 5 years. At the same time seeds were sown in open areas and beneath shrub canopies; seedling emergence and survival were recorded over different periods of time for 5 years.
• The species forms long‐term persistent soil seed banks. The timing of seedling emergence via germination in the field was regulated by interaction between light, temperature and soil moisture. Seeds entered secondary dormancy at specific times according to the expression of environmental factors, demonstrating irregular dormancy cycling.
• Seedling survival of P. chende was improved under Acacia constricta nurse plants. Finally, plant facilitation affected the soil seed bank dynamics as it promoted the formation of a soil seed bank, but not its persistence.

     

秦岭北坡不同生境栓皮栎种子雨和土壤种子库动态

为了阐明栓皮栎种子雨和种子库动态,以秦岭北坡林下、林窗、林缘3种生境栓皮栎天然林为对象,采用离地和地面收集种子的方法,连续定位观测了栓皮栎种子雨、种子库的数量、质量动态,以及幼苗发育过程.结果表明:栓皮栎种子雨从8月中旬开始,9月中旬到10月上旬达到高峰期,11月上旬结束;3种生境种子雨降落历程、发生时间和组成不同;林下种子雨强度最大,为(39.55±5.56)粒·m-2,林窗种子雨降落时间最早,持续时间最长,种子活力最高,而林缘成熟种子占其种子雨的比例最大,达58.7％.从种子雨降落结束到翌年8月,土壤种子库总储量均以林下最大,林缘最小;各生境的土壤种子库中成熟、未成熟、被啃食种子数量和种子活力均随时间变化呈递减趋势,而霉烂种子数量则相反.各生境的土壤种子库中的种子均主要集中在枯落物层,其次为0～2 cm土层,2～5 cm土层中只有极少量种子存在.3种生境中栓皮栎幼苗的密度差异显著,林窗幼苗最多,林缘次之,林下最少.说明林窗更适合栓皮栎种子的萌发和幼苗生长.在栓皮栎林的经营中,通过适当间伐、增加林窗数量,可以促进栓皮栎林的天然更新.