Plant species dynamics during restoration of heath ponds in northwestern Germany

The spatial and temporal heterogeneity of macrophyte communities in thirty small, temporary ponds over a period of ten years

“…The communities of the C. vulgaris and R. aquatilis ponds were unlikely to survive as subhabitats within a single larger pond once L. riparium had establised. Leptodictyon riparium appears to be a dominant competitor, apparently smothering other submerged species, in the same way that Sphagnum mosses appear to be able to exclude vascular plants (Urban 2005). The Hauxley ponds without a moss sward dried out to leave exposed, hard‐baked substrate whilst those covered with L. riparium stayed damp underneath the moss and the substrate became conspicuously black and foetid compared to the ponds where substrate was left exposed.…”

Persistent soil seed bank in Agriophyllum squarrosum (Chenopodiaceae) in a deep sand profile: Variation along a transect of an active sand dune

“…A persistent seed bank ensures the sustainable supply of viable seeds, thus contributing to seedling recruitment in disturbed environments (Cavieres and Arroyo, 2001;Matus et al, 2005;Urban, 2005). Therefore, we believe that the presence of a persistent seed bank is one mechanism for the pioneering annual dune plant species to adapt to the active dune system.…”