Reza Erfanzadeh; Fatemeh-al-Sadat Hosseini; Seyed Homzeh Hosseini Kahnuj
Abstract
In this study, the effect of the canopy of Pteropyrum aucheri on the soil seed bank was investigated in southern Kerman province, Sehchah village rangelands. By studying the seed bank at two depths of 0-5 and 5-10 cm under and outside the canopy of this shrub species, the potential of the soil seed bank ...
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In this study, the effect of the canopy of Pteropyrum aucheri on the soil seed bank was investigated in southern Kerman province, Sehchah village rangelands. By studying the seed bank at two depths of 0-5 and 5-10 cm under and outside the canopy of this shrub species, the potential of the soil seed bank in preserving and recovering of the valuable medicinal species Pergularia tomentosa was evaluated. For this purpose, 15 individuals of the P. aucheri were selected in which P. tomentosa could also be observed under the canopy of P. aucheri. Soil sampling was carried out from under and outside the canopy from both depths, totally of 60 samples. Under the canopy (and also outside the canopy), 10 soil augers were taken. The soil samples were transferred to the greenhouse in Faculty of Natural Resources, Tarbiat Modares University, and the species present in the soil were identified using the seed germination method. In the greenhouse cultivation, a total of 2164 seeds germinated. Of these, 1486 seeds belonged to the under-canopy (1156 seeds at the upper depth and 330 seeds at the lower depth) and 678 seeds belonged to the outside of the canopy (341 seeds at the upper depth and 337 seeds at the lower depth). The density of the seed bank at the upper depth was significantly higher in the under-canopy than outside the canopy. This study showed that the valuable species of P. tomentosa not only had a seed bank under the canopy but also did not form a canopy outside the canopy of P. aucheri. Therefore, for the conservation and restoration of this species, it is not possible to rely on soil seed bank.
Seyed Hamzeh Hosseini Kahnuj; Reza Erfanzadeh; Hossein Azarnivand
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of habitat kind on soil seed bank characteristics viz. density diversity, richness and similarity between seed bank and above ground vegetation. Two different habitats (grassland and forest) were selected in Vaz, Mazandaran province. The grassland habitat located ...
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This study aimed to investigate the effect of habitat kind on soil seed bank characteristics viz. density diversity, richness and similarity between seed bank and above ground vegetation. Two different habitats (grassland and forest) were selected in Vaz, Mazandaran province. The grassland habitat located in the upper end of the forest habitat, adjacent to each other. Then in each habitat, 7 transect perpendicular to slope gradient with 25 meter distance between transect were established; 10 1*1 m plots were selected along each transect. In each plot, 10 soil subsamples were collected and divided into two depths: 0-5 and 5-10 cm. soil sampling was done in winter, 2010. Soil samples were then transferred to and spread in the greenhouse. Germinated plant species were identified, counted and then removed. On the other hand, the above-ground cover of plant species in each plot was recorded in the next growing season. Finally, the number of seeds germinated in the greenhouse was recalculated per meter square and then the similarity between seed bank and aboveground vegetation was calculated in each plot using Sorenson similarity index. Non-paired and paired t-test was applied to compare soil seed bank characteristics between the two habitats and between the two depths, respectively. The results showed that all seed characteristics (with the exception of similarity between aboveground vegetation and soil seed bank in depth 5-10 cm) were significantly higher in grassland than forest. The lower seed characteristics in forest habitat could be related to lower seed input to soil, higher litter percentage and moisture in the above ground of forest habitat. These factors particularly soil moisture and litter could encourage the decomposition of seeds before penetrating soil. In total, the seed of only two shrublands species were germinated in the greenhouse.
