Erenler, H. E., Ashton, P. A., Gillman, M. P. and Ollerton, J. (2010) Factors determining species richness of soil seed banks in lowland ancient woodlands. Biodiversity and Conservation. 19(6), pp. 1631-1648. 0960-3115.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | The demise of coppicing in UK ancient woodlands, combined with the planting of non-native, fast-growing conifers in the twentieth century, heightens the potential recharge value of ground flora seed banks. Soil cores from adjoining semi-natural and conifer-containing stands in four lowland ancient woods in central England were removed to establish seed bank species richness. During a fourteen-month germination trial soil from two depths yielded 6554 seedlings from 81 species, ten of which showed a strong affinity for ancient woodland conditions. Juncus effusus accounted for 80% of emergent seeds whilst 23 other species, including Lysimachia nummularia and Potentilla sterilis, were represented by only one individual. Species richness is described by a model that explains 40% of observed variance (P < 0.00001). The model has three significant variables: species richness increases as soil pH rises, and decreases with both depth and increasing time since the most recent planting/disturbance event. No difference was found in the density of seeds from species common to paired semi-natural and conifer-containing stands that were separated only by a woodland ride, suggesting prior management and environmental conditions have a greater influence on seed banks than current stand type. Sørensen similarity index values revealed poor congruence between above-ground vegetation and species in the seed bank. Taking pH measurements in conifer stands identified as younger in terms of planting/disturbance may help locate areas where greater numbers of species (including woodland specialists) are located. Caution is required, however, as these seed banks may also contain non-target, competitive species that may swamp the regeneration of woodland specialists |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Ancient wood - ancient forest - soil seed bank - species richness - pH - conifer plantations - Sørensen - GLM |
| Subjects: |
Q Science > QK Botany > QK640 Plant anatomy > QK661 Seeds S Agriculture > SD Forestry Q Science > QK Botany > QK900 Plant ecology |
| Creators: | Erenler, Hilary E, Ashton, Paul A, Gillman, Michael P and Ollerton, Jeff |
| Publisher: | Kluwer |
| Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: | Faculties > Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology > Environmental Science |
| Date: | June 2010 |
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Page Range: | pp. 1631-1648 |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Biodiversity and Conservation |
| Volume: | 19 |
| Number: | 6 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-010-9793-1 |
| ISSN: | 0960-3115 |
| Status: | Published / Disseminated |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| URI: | http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/3013 |
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