Abstract:

A field survey and germination experiments of the soil seed bank were conducted in communities of 15-year restoration, 30-year restoration and primary monsoon broad-leaved evergreen forest in Puer city, Yunnan, China. We investigated basic characteristics and dynamics of the soil seed bank and its relation to the above-ground vegetation. The results showed that 1 667 seeds germinated in all soil samples, and they belonged to 76 species in 65 genera and 30 families. Total seed density of the 15-year restoration community was (361±69.87) seeds·m^-2, and was significantly higher than that in primary forest (142.5±27.5) seeds·m^-2 and 30-year restoration community (108.33±30.01) seeds·m^-2. Shannon-Wiener index of the 30-year restoration forest was significantly higher than that of the 15-year restoration and primary forest. Species composition changes of the soil seed bank reflect seed survival strategies and community structure. Herbaceous species were main components in 3 community types. Seed density of annual herb in the 15-year restoration community was significantly higher than that of the 30-year restoration community. The similarity coefficient between soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation of the 15-year and 30-year restoration community was higher than that of primary forest. Herb layer contributed more to species composition of soil seed bank than tree layer. However, the seedling bank was mainly composed of tree species.

Key words: soil seed bank, species composition, seed density, similarity coefficient, vegetation restoration