The seed bank in a population of an endemic plant species and its ecological significance

A large seed reserve was present at a population site of the narrowly endemic winter annual plant species Leavenworthia stylosa Gray. From the seed bank present in the soil in the spring of 1971, seedlings were produced in the autumn of each of seven subsequent years (1971–1977). The presence of a large seed bank ensures continuation (without immigration) of the population at a given site, even if seeds are not produced every year, and it increases the size, and thus the genetic diversity and stability, of the effective breeding population. The implications of natural seed banks to preservation of plant species are discussed.     

Assessing limitations on population growth in two critically endangered Acacia taxa

Flowering phenology, soil seedbank and the impact of fire, weeds and grazing were investigated in two rare Acacia taxa restricted to the agricultural district north of Perth Western Australia. Acacia aprica is known from six extant populations and one extinct population. Five of the extant populations are restricted to linear road reserves with the sixth population located in a small native vegetation remnant. Acacia cochlocarpa ssp. cochlocarpa is known from a single population also situated on a road verge. Size class structure, levels of canopy death and an absence of juveniles indicated that all populations are in decline. Flowering intensity and success varied between populations and years in A. aprica and between years in A. cochlocarpa ssp. cochlocarpa. Seed bank analysis indicated that seeds were patchily distributed while experimental fires demonstrated that such events could break seed dormancy and promote germination. Both taxa have similar germination physiologies and showed increased germination after seeds were exposed to heat. Following emergence, however, competition with annual weeds had a negative impact on seedling growth and survival in both taxa. While vertebrate grazing had some influence, weeds were the major inhibitory influence on recruitment. Reduced fire frequencies since fragmentation may be responsible for population decline in both taxa but other site specific factors such as weeds and grazing may affect the establishment of seedlings following fire.     

Importance of the seed bank for population viability and population monitoring in a threatened wetland herb

Although demographic models have become increasingly important tools in plant conservation, few models have considered the implications of seed banks for population persistence. Based on a 15-year study of the threatened herb, Helenium virginicum, we created a stage-class transition matrix to model the population dynamics of the plant. Our goal was to determine the role of the seed bank in population persistence and in the design of monitoring programs for the plant. Using data from marked plants, a long-term study of seed viability, and a seed bank census, we created a deterministic model and three stochastic models. The stochastic models were a model in which yearly correlations among parameters were retained, a model in which parameters were uncorrelated, and a model in which parameters were derived from log-normal distribution. We also constructed a fourth model in which we assumed a minimum seed lifetime consistent with the seed viability data. Both elasticity and perturbation analysis suggested that seed survival within the seed bank had by far the largest effects on the population growth rate (λ), with 47-64% of the change in λ being controlled by seed survival. Correlations among life history parameters had little effect on λ in the original models, but substantially reduced λ (from 0.97 to 0.86) when seed survival was limited. Given the importance of the seed bank and the high yearly variability in adult plant density, we used simulations to compare power to detect declines with seed bank samples versus censuses of adult plants. The power of adult plant censuses was extremely low (13-22%). The power of seed bank censuses was substantially higher (48-59%), but was limited by large pulses of recruitment to the seed bank in good years. Power was only moderately reduced when seeds were sampled every two or four years instead of yearly (from 59% to 48%). Together, our results suggest that seed survival is crucial to persistence of Helenium populations and that future empirical studies should focus on understanding the factors that affect seed survival. In addition, managers should consider seed bank censuses rather than above-ground plants when designing monitoring programs for plants in variable environments where above-ground plants vary greatly from year to year.     

Staging of Pacific flyway brant in relation to eelgrass abundance and site isolation, with special consideration of Humboldt Bay, California

Spring distributions of black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) are closely related to that of their primary food plant, eelgrass (Zostera marina). Using historical (1931-2001) brant data from Humboldt Bay, California, we show that proportional use of two main feeding areas in the bay strongly reflects food abundance. We used multiple regression to investigate whether the spatial relationship between brant and eelgrass holds at the flyway level. We related peak brant numbers at 11 staging areas in the Pacific flyway to the sites' Z. marina abundance and isolation from other important staging areas. We explained 90% of the variation in peak brant numbers across sites with these variables; isolated bays with high eelgrass abundance supported the most brant. Our results emphasize the importance of protecting large eelgrass habitats along the Pacific Coast, particularly in bays that are geographically isolated from other large staging areas.     

Moderate impacts of plant invasion and management regimes in coastal hind dune seed banks

Plant invaders may directly or indirectly affect ecosystem resilience through their impact on soil seed banks. The invaders, and the application of control measures, change seed bank dynamics by altering the number of seeds entering and leaving the seed bank. We tested the impact of bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata), on the seed bank. We examined seed banks in heavily-invaded, sparsely-invaded and managed dunes, where bitou bush biomass had been controlled. While management of bitou bush may have reduced the density of bitou bush seeds in the soil, it did not reduce the richness of other weed species. Native tree species richness was significantly higher in seed banks of sparsely-invaded than either heavily-invaded or managed sites, perhaps indicating a permanent shift in community structure following invasion. However, remaining indices of native seed bank diversity were similar across all invasion categories, indicating that seed banks of many native species were unaffected by both invasion and management. While examination of seed banks is informative in assessing past and potential community dynamics, low similarity between the standing vegetation and seed bank at all sites indicated that many hind dune species had other storage or regeneration modes and seed banks cannot be relied upon for comprehensive dune restoration.     

黄土丘陵沟壑区红砂灌丛土壤种子库及其自然更新潜力评估

[目的]对黄土丘陵沟壑区红砂灌丛植被土壤种子库的特征及红砂灌丛植被自然更新潜力进行分析和评估,以说明红砂灌丛土壤种子库在植被恢复与重建中的重要作用。[方法]采用土壤种子库"萌发法"(每个地段10个2m×2m样方内分表土层0—2cm和2—5cm土层采集土样)及野外植被调查方法,对黄土丘陵沟壑不同坡位红砂灌丛土壤种子库进行研究。[结果]黄土丘陵沟壑区红砂灌丛植被土壤种子库发芽试验共观察到的4 251株幼苗,分属于9个物种。土壤种子库密度在100~1 000粒/m2,物种数在0.8~1.2种/0.01m2,下坡段的土壤种子库平均种子密度和平均物种数均比上坡段高。3个坡段的2个层次的平均种子密度和平均物种数均随土层加深而减小。3个坡段土壤种子库和地上植被的组成物种多为草本植物和红砂灌丛,地上植被与其土壤种子库的密度及物种数均呈不显著相关;物种组成的Sorensen相似性指数较高,均达到0.60以上,且土壤种子库比地上植被具有更高的物种丰富度。[结论]黄土丘陵沟壑区红砂灌丛具有依靠土壤种子库实现自然更新的潜力,但由于物种组成种类较少,现存灌丛植被一旦遭到破坏,仅靠土壤种子库恢复现存植被是困难的,需要在对自然恢复潜力评估的基础上,积极采取人工保护促进自然恢复的策略。     

Soil seed bank compositional change constrains biodiversity in an invaded species-rich woodland

Relationships between plant invasion and the soil seed bank in highly diverse fire adapted mediterranean woodlands are poorly understood, yet critical for that ecosystem’s conservation. Within the biodiversity hotspot of southwest Australia we investigated the composition and diversity of the Banksia woodland soil seed bank in good condition (GC), medium condition (MC) and poor condition invaded by the South African perennial species Ehrharta calycina (PCe) and Pelargonium capitatum (PCp). The investigation assessed three questions: (1) Do soil seed banks of invaded sites have fewer germinants of native species and more germinants of introduced (non-native) species than sites with minimal invasion? (2) Do soil seed banks show shifts in ecological functional types with invasion? (3) Is the soil seed bank of introduced species persistent? Native species germinants, mainly shrubs and perennial herbs, were highest in GC sites and least in poorer condition sites suggesting a reduction in their numbers had occurred over time. Introduced germinants were dominated by perennial and annual grasses, and annual herbs. E. calycina had the greatest seed density (8328 germinants m⁻²). More introduced than native germinants occurred in the litter. Rapid germination of introduced species (30% in week 1) compared to native species (4% in week 1) provides the capacity for their early dominance. A limited native soil seed bank and dominant persistent introduced soil seed bank represent great challenges for the structural and functional conservation and restoration of woodland ecosystems. This study provides key new knowledge, applicable to a wide range of ecosystems, to help formulate conservation protocols to control dominant introduced species and conserve and restore biodiverse-rich woodlands.     

塔里木河下游土壤种子库的空间分布特征分析

以因不合理的水土资源开发而出现严重生态退化的典型区——塔里木河下游为研究区,通过在塔里木河下游开展的两年土壤种子库实验,分析了塔里木河下游土壤种子库密度的空间分布特点。结果显示:(1)塔里木河下游土壤种子库一般在150~2 300粒/m2之间,属一个较低的水平;从种子库密度的空间分布特点看,地表植被群落退化程度的加重,使土壤种子库在顺河道方向和垂直河道方向表现出不同的变化特点;(2)塔里木河下游土壤种子库在分布上具有较高的密集性,表现出类似沙漠地区种子库的分布特征;(3)微生境条件对土壤种子库的分布影响较大。其中河水漫溢区的种子库密度远高于其它区域,而低洼地、柽柳包和有较多枯枝的退化草地均比光板地和胡杨林地有更多的有活力种子;(4)塔里木河下游严重的生态退化导致了本区土壤种子库垂直分布的差异,主要表现是随着地表植被群落生态退化程度的加重,土壤种子库的垂直分布表现为表层种子库占土壤种子库的比重不断升高的趋势。     

Lessons about extinction and translocation: models for eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) at Woodlands Historic Park, Victoria, Australia

In 1998 the protected population of Perameles gunnii (eastern barred bandicoot) at Woodlands Historic Park, Victoria, Australia became functionally extinct following removals of individuals for translocation between 1994 and 1996. Population viability analysis and data collected whilst the population was in decline are used to explore the impact that these removals had on the decline of the P. gunnii population at Woodlands. Due to some ambiguities in the life history of P. gunnii at Woodlands, two structurally different population models were used. Explicitly including the removal of animals in the analysis indicates that there may be at least a three-fold increase in the risk of quasiextinction due to removals. In some scenarios, over 17% of the trajectories decrease to a level less than or equal to 10 females within the observed time period of the collapse of the population, that is by April 1998. The modelling approach identified a number of critical factors in the decline of the population, such as variation in survival rates. By representing the life history strategy using two alternate models, quantitative statements about the impact that removals had on the population decline at Woodlands are made. While removals probably contributed to the collapse of the population, removals were not the sole cause of population decline. The real reasons for decline remain unknown; however, it is likely to be closely linked to habitat decline, difficult environmental conditions and predation. If P. gunnii are reintroduced to Woodlands again, then the models presented here may help to develop management strategies to establish a self sustaining population, as well as exploring translocations options.     

Seed banks in plant conservation: Case study of Santa Cruz tarplant restoration

Although conservation and restoration practitioners have focused on maximizing aboveground population size and seed set of rare plants, a clear understanding of seed bank dynamics is crucial to managing these species. Santa Cruz tarplant (Holocarpha macradenia) is a threatened annual forb restricted to coastal prairie habitats in central California. Holocarpha produces disk achenes germinating within a year of production and ray achenes forming a persistent seed bank. We constructed both deterministic and stochastic demographic models for a restored Holocarpha population, using demographic rates measured separately for unmanipulated plants and plants growing in plots where vegetation was clipped. The deterministic models indicated that regardless of germination from the seed bank, the population would decline without clipping or similar treatments that enhance survival and reproductive output. Deterministic models showed only a slight positive effect of increased ray seed germination rates on population growth, which would need to be balanced against a potential loss of buffering against environmental variation as the dormant seed bank was reduced. Our stochastic simulations suggested that extinction risk for Holocarpha populations would be minimized by intermediate levels of ray seed germination. Thus, managers should focus on improving the performance of aboveground plants before considering actions to stimulate germination, since the former will yield a greater increase in deterministic population growth and not sacrifice any buffering effect of the seed bank. This case study emphasizes the importance of considering dormant seeds and seed banks in designing successful restoration and management strategies for plant species at risk of extinction.     

汶川地震灾区典型区不同植被类型土壤种子库特征——以北川县苏保河、魏家沟流域为例

为了解汶川地震灾区典型区不同植被类型土壤种子库特征及其与灾害受损程度间的关系,采用野外调查取样和室内试验相结合的方法,研究了北川县苏保河与魏家沟流域4种植被类型(未受损林地、受损林地、灾后恢复草地和灾后裸地)土壤种子库的物种组成、种子密度、多样性及其与地上植物群落的关系。结果表明:4种植被类型样地中,土壤种子库密度为212.5~1 758.3个·m-2,每样带(200 m2)平均物种数为4.3~14.7个。4种植被类型土壤种子库的组成物种多为多年生或一年生草本植物,土壤种子库与相应地上植被的物种数仅受损林地与灾后恢复草地中呈显著相关;物种组成的Sorensen相似指数除裸地低于0.250外,其余均高于0.250。基于以上分析结果,在灾区进行植被恢复,需要考虑次生灾害对植被的持续破坏可能性,采用工程措施及人为引种的方式增加成活率和延续性。     

Do native species limit survival of reintroduced Atlantic salmon in historic rearing streams?

Reintroduction of extirpated populations creates a unique context that can exacerbate the effects of interactions among species. Thus, reintroduced populations may be particularly vulnerable to predators and competitors, including native species with which they historically coexisted. In this study, we evaluated the effect of native fishes on survival of reintroduced Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the Connecticut River basin, where the native salmon population is extinct. Juvenile salmon are stocked annually in many Connecticut River tributaries. We sampled salmon reintroduction sites across tributaries with different fish communities to determine whether native fish reduce the success of salmon reintroductions (N = 19 site-years). Increased density of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus), a native generalist predator, was associated with reduced recruitment of reintroduced salmon. Salmon first-summer survival declined with increased sculpin density across sites, and low first-summer survival led to reduced densities of overyearling salmon the subsequent year. Hierarchical partitioning analysis showed that the negative relationship between sculpin and salmon was independent of potentially confounding variation in other fish community or habitat characteristics. Negative effects of native, historically-sympatric species, particularly generalist predators, can impede restoration of extirpated populations.     

Removing erosion control projects increases bank swallow (Riparia riparia) population viability modeled along the Sacramento River, California, USA

Spatially-explicit population viability analysis (PVA) is a powerful method for modeling the extinction risk of populations that show variation over space and time. It is especially effective for comparing relative effect of different management scenarios on population dynamics. Here, I present a habitat patch-based PVA for a population of the California state-listed threatened bank swallow (Riparia riparia) nesting along the Sacramento River. This model incorporates the effects of habitat availability and location, density dependence, site fidelity, and stochasticity in survival and fecundity. River bank habitat patches suitable for this species were delineated using a geographic information systems (GIS) model of river bank height and were used in a PVA scenario analysis to assess the effects of habitat restoration—that could occur by removing bank erosion control projects (bank revetment)—on population viability. Sensitivity analysis showed that the model estimated probability of quasi-extinction (dropping below 2000 breeding pairs) ranged from 0 to 0.8 depending on the input parameters, with juvenile survival causing the greatest variability. However, comparing changes to the probability of quasi-extinction between the restored habitat scenario and current conditions showed a consistent 40-60% decrease in probability of quasi-extinction across all parameter combinations. The results of this research reaffirm the need for continued protection of the bank swallow as a listed species indicate that the removal of bank erosion control projects would increase viability of this population.     

土壤种子库研究的热点问题及发展趋向

土壤种子库是指存在于土壤上层凋落物和土壤中全部存活种子的总和。土壤种子库是种群定居、生存、繁衍和扩散的基础,也是植被潜在更新能力的重要组成部分,在植被的更新、演替和恢复过程中起着重要的作用。本文总结提出了土壤种子库研究的几个热点问题以及发展趋向,包括土壤种子库的研究方法,入侵植物的土壤种子库,种子雨、种子库与地上植被的关系,种子库在退化生态系统植被恢复和生物多样性保护中的作用,土壤侵蚀对土壤种子库的影响,全球变化对土壤种子库的影响。同时对这些领域的研究进展进行了综述,旨在为进一步推动今后土壤种子库的研究工作提供参考。     

宁夏荒漠草原种子雨研究

近年来,有关土壤种子库研究的报道较多,但种子雨的研究较少,因此以宁夏荒漠草原为研究对象,采用样线法,以培养皿为种子雨收集器,对种子雨的散布特点及种子雨与地上植被的关系进行了研究。结果表明:种子雨的植物种类为8种,多年生草本植物所占比例较大为62.5%;种子雨的散布8—10月份为逐渐递增的趋势,10月份为种子雨散布的高峰期,8—10月份种子雨的密度分别为（73.60±12.24）个/m²,（77.85±11.81）个/m²,（240.62±41.08）个/m²;种子雨植物密度和地上植物密度没有显著的相关性;种子雨植物种和地上植物种的相似性为0.457,相似性较低。研究结果可以为种子雨、种子库、地上植被间相互关系的研究提供参考。     

Habitat fragmentation in marine landscapes: relative effects of habitat cover and configuration on juvenile crab survival in California and North Carolina seagrass beds

Processes that dictate faunal abundance (e.g. predation) may be linked primarily to the configuration of habitat (e.g. patch size, patch isolation, proximity to edge) or simply to the amount of habitat (i.e. habitat cover) in marine and terrestrial systems. I asked whether juvenile crab survival in marine seagrass habitats is linked to habitat cover or to habitat configuration, and whether relationships between crab survival and habitat features were similar in two widely separated seagrass landscapes (Bodega Harbor, California and Back Sound, North Carolina, USA). I also evaluated the independent effects of seagrass structural complexity (shoot density and shoot biomass per unit area) and habitat fragmentation on crab survival. Juvenile red rock crabs (Cancer productus: 1+year class) were tethered in Bodega Harbor and juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus: 0+year class) were tethered in Back Sound. Seagrass cover in both landscapes ranged from <10 to 100% over 10×10 m areas. Crab survival was correlated with elements of landscape structure and structural complexity in both landscapes, but relationships between crab survival and specific habitat features differed between the two landscapes. In California, juvenile red rock crab survival was negatively correlated with seagrass cover and was positively correlated with seagrass shoot density, and was marginally (P=0.06) negatively correlated with seagrass shoot biomass. In North Carolina, juvenile blue crab survival was positively correlated with log₁₀ patch area and was negatively correlated with seagrass shoot biomass. The results indicate that (1) both seagrass cover and configuration may influence crab survival; (2) seagrass structural complexity influences crab survival independently of landscape structure; (3) the relative influence of cover, configuration and structural complexity on survival likely differ among seagrass landscapes; and (4) increasing structural complexity (e.g. shoot biomass) may not always lead to increased faunal survival. The results correspond to those of recent studies in marine and terrestrial landscapes showing widely variable faunal responses to landscape structure among species, geographic location and through time, and imply that seagrass restoration and conservation strategies should incorporate species-specific responses to habitat structure at multiple scales.     

坝上草原退耕地植被不同恢复处理土壤种子库研究

采用野外调查取样和室内实验相结合的方法,研究坝上草原退耕地土壤种子库的物种组成、密度和物种多样性等特征.结果表明:自然恢复、浅耕处理和深耕处理3种不同恢复措施下,土壤种子库物种丰富度(种)大小为浅耕处理(18)>自然恢复(15)>深耕处理(14);自然恢复处理、浅耕处理和深耕处理土壤种子库密度分别为23 949粒·m-2、15746粒·m-2和10600粒·m-2,浅耕处理和深耕处理分别比自然恢复处理减少34.3%和55.7%;不同恢复方式下土壤种子库与地上植被的物种密度的对应关系可用三次曲线来表示.土壤种子库间有较高的相似系数,但随着干扰程度的增加而减少.     

金安桥水电站弃渣场土壤种子库与地面植被的关系

通过研究金安桥水电站废弃渣场种子库和周边群落种子库以及渣场地面和周边群落地面植被的变化特征,结果表明：①周边群落土壤种子库和地面植物的物种丰富度大于渣场,从地面与种子库的物种组成分析得出,渣场植被恢复正处于由一年生草本植物向多年生草本植物过渡的阶段;②周边群落地面植物与土壤种子库的物种丰富度（30,33）及数量（186,1962）,渣场地面植物与土壤种子库的物种丰富度（10,12）及数量（35,1784）;③由于植物种子寿命短,加之土壤环境差,导致周边群落地面植物与种子库相似度（0．09）和渣场地面植物与种子库的相似度（0）差异性大。     

元谋干热河谷山地植被修复区土壤种子库研究

 为了解干热河谷不同植被修复方法的土壤种子库的变化模式,采用对不同处理地段(包括水平阶间坡面、自然坡面、沟底)和对照(放牧地)的土壤种子库组成、大小进行比较研究的方法,研究元谋干热河谷山地植被修复区的土壤种子库。结果表明:1)植被修复区土壤种子库密度、丰富度均大于对照区;2)修复区内第2年土壤种子库密度、丰富度均大于第1年;3)水平阶间坡面和各类型间的土壤种子库密度差异显著;4)种子库中草本植物占很大比例;5)孔颖草和扭黄茅是种子库2大优势种。研究项目所采取植被修复措施在很大程度上改善土壤种子库的数量结构和物种组成。     

Spatial and temporal effects on recruitment of an Afromontane forest tree in a threatened fragmented ecosystem

Tropical forest fragmentation affects animal and plant populations in different ways. For plants, early stages (seed to seedling) are more sensitive to habitat alteration than adults, and can shape their future spatial patterns. Therefore, studying how seed germination and seedling growth and survival vary at different spatiotemporal scales enhances our understanding about plant recruitment in fragmented ecosystems. In this study we examine if, and to what extent, recruitment at early life-stages of Xymalos monospora (Monomiaceae), a bird-dispersed Afrotropical tree, differs between and within forest fragments that vary in size, surrounding matrix and microhabitats. Three years of field experiments (2004-2006) in south-east Kenya, revealed that patterns of seed germination and seedling survival and growth were largely inconsistent, both in space and time. Recruitment was not consistently higher in larger or less disturbed fragments. At smaller spatial scales within forest fragments, recruitment was subject to high between-year variation too, with decreased germination in gaps only in the dry year of 2004. However, performance of seeds and seedlings was consistently better away from than under conspecific fruiting trees. Our results imply that fragmented tree populations of X. monospora may become age-structured, or ultimately go extinct, if recruitment fails in subsequent years. This may especially affect populations in small, disturbed forest fragments, where seed dispersal and buffering against stochastic processes are generally reduced. Exotic plantations bordering indigenous forest fragments may provide suitable conditions for native tree recruitment; hence, forest expansion through enrichment planting should be considered in future conservation plans.