Seed size, shape and vertical distribution in the soil: indicators of seed longevity

Bekker, Renée M.; Bakker, Jan P.; Grandin, Ulf; Kalamees, Reïn; Milberg, Per; Poschlod, Peter; Thompson, Ken; Willems, J. H.

doi:10.1046/j.1365-2435.1998.00252.x

Cited by 450 publications

(407 citation statements)

References 35 publications

(34 reference statements)

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“…Using the values for seed length, width and thickness, the variance in seed dimensions was calculated, producing a seed shape index (V s ), which is indicative of seed roundness (Bekker et al 1998). Information on seed longevity was obtained from Thompson et al (1997), and a seed longevity index was calculated according to Bekker et al (1998).…”

Section: Seed Traitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispersal by cattle of salt-marsh and dune species into salt-marsh and dune communities

2007

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Seed dispersal via ingestion and defecation by large herbivores (endozoochory) plays a potentially important role in structuring plant communities. In the present study we tested whether cattle disperse seeds between different plant communities in a heterogeneous coastal habitat. We surveyed the seed contents of cattle dung collected from two habitat types within a grazing system, one in dunes and the other in saltmarsh. The dunes are characterized by sandy soil, and infrequent inundation by the sea, whereas the salt-marsh features clay deposited during inundations. Seeds of both salt-marsh and dune species were dispersed into salt-marsh and dune habitats. The seed content of cattle dung collected in salt-marsh and dunes was similar with respect to species composition and seed density. However, dispersal of dune species into salt-marsh and vice-versa did not result in establishment in those communities. Seed traits per se did not differ between dune species and saltmarsh species. Species abundance in the established vegetation and seed density in dung were positively correlated. Seed abundance for most species found in dung was consistent with the availability of viable seeds during the growing season. Seed mass, seed 'roundness' and seed release height were all negatively correlated with seed numbers in dung. An indirect factor, namely, forage quality of the plant, and hence attractiveness for herbivores, could explain the higher likelihood of seed dispersal of salt-marsh species than of dune species. The salt-marsh harbours species with higher forage quality than the dune species, as derived from Ellenberg nitrogen indicator values.

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Section: Seed Traitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispersal by cattle of salt-marsh and dune species into salt-marsh and dune communities

2007

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“…In Swedish grassland, eight species that had not been observed in the extant vegetation for 35 years were found in the soil seed bank (Milberg, 1992) According to Baskin and Baskin (2001), it is assumed that seeds placed at higher depths are older than seeds placed on topsoil. Seed size and shape are important indicators of the soil seed-bank dynamics (Bekker et al, 1998). Big seeds with awns have high surface/volume ratios and have lower probability to be incorporated in the soil seed bank.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed longevity of Eragrostis plana Nees buried in natural grassland soil

et al. 2014

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-The objective of this research was to evaluate the seed longevity of Eragrostis plana Nees buried at different soil depths, in a natural-grassland area in the Pampa biome (46 m altitude, 30º05´S and 51º40´W) of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The experimental design was a split-plot type in complete blocks with two factors: seeds buried at five different depth levels (soil surface and 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 cm) and seven exhumation dates. The blocks were allocated in natural grassland grazed by cattle, allocated in a 12-m-long transection. Fifty-four permeable nylon bags filled with 100 seeds in each division, with five vertical divisions, were buried in each row. Seven exhumation dates were used: the first on October 14, 2003 and the last on January 14, 2006. The percentage of viable seeds of E. plana, collected at seven exhumation times and set at different depths in the soil horizon, were described by simple negative exponential equations. Based on the model, the percentage of viable seeds collected at the five depths, (soil surface and 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 cm), after 2.5 years of burial, were 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 7.4 and 22.1%, respectively. Increase in depth is directly associated with physical and physiological seed integrity of E. plana. Negative simple exponential equations can be used to predict seed longevity of E. plana buried in nylon bags. This invader species accumulates soil seed-bank of high longevity.

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“…Seed banks may influence both trends. Indeed, species producing small seeds exhibit longer soil viability (Thompson et al 1993;Bekker et al 1998). A requirement for long day light periods may also be an advantage for soil persistence by preventing germination under unfavorable light conditions (Poschlod et al 2000).…”

Section: Functional Trait Shifts Immediately Following the Clear-cutmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response of plant functional traits during the restoration of calcareous grasslands from forest stands

Piqueray

Ferroni

Delescaille

et al. 2015

Ecological Indicators

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In this survey, we studied the response of plant functional traits to calcareous grassland restoration in the Calestienne region, Southern Belgium (restoration protocol: forest clearcutting followed by grazing at all sites). We considered traits related to dispersal, establishment, and persistence that integrate the main challenges of plants to re-establish and survive in restored areas. Functional traits were compiled from databases and compared among annuals and biennials). During restorative management, clonal, epizoochorous and autumn germinating species were favored. Despite numerous other changes during this phase, many differences remained compared to reference grasslands. In particular, geophytes, mycorrhizal and evergreen species abundance were not approaching reference grassland values. The observed pattern helped to draw inferences on the possible mechanisms operating under vegetation recovery following restorative forest clear-cut and subsequent management were identified and described in this study. Results indicated grazing was an important factor, which increased epizoochorous species, and autumn germinating taxa that filled niches in vegetation opened by summer grazing animals. Finally, differences between old restoration and reference grasslands emphasized that management should focus on reduction in soil fertility, and geophyte rhizomatous grasses. Long-term monitoring is vital to assess if management plans are effective in the complete restoration of species functional trait assemblages.

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Seed size, shape and vertical distribution in the soil: indicators of seed longevity

Cited by 450 publications

References 35 publications

Dispersal by cattle of salt-marsh and dune species into salt-marsh and dune communities

Dispersal by cattle of salt-marsh and dune species into salt-marsh and dune communities

Seed longevity of Eragrostis plana Nees buried in natural grassland soil

Response of plant functional traits during the restoration of calcareous grasslands from forest stands

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