| Abstract: | The germinable soil seed-store of the northern jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) forest was found to average 767 seeds m?2 (range:377–1579 seeds m?2) over six randomly selected plots within a range of forest sites. A total of 68 different taxa of vascular plants were recognized following heating and glasshouse tray germination tests of field-collected soils. Both the qualitative and quantitative composition of the soil seed-bank were dominated by annuals and sub-shrubs. Because less than 10% of the seed of the soil was from species of the dominant tree and woody shrub strata, there were major floristic differences between the existing flora and the composition of the soil seed-bank. The influences of the soil seed-bank on rehabilitation of disturbed jarrah forest lands and current fire management are discussed. |
