Estimation of the seed bank of a chalk grassland ley established on former arable land.
Abstract
The size, composition and seasonal and depth-related variations in the soil seed bank of a former chalk grassland ley were determined at monthly intervals from Mar. 1981 to Oct. 1982. The number of species germinating showed little seasonal fluctuation. Fewer grass and perennial forb species germinated from soil deep in the profile than from soil near the surface. Equal numbers of annual and perennial species germinated from a depth of 0-4 cm, but more annual than perennial species germinated from soil sampled lower in the profile. Numbers of seeds germinating peaked in soil samples collected in mid-summer to winter, after seed dispersal; 83% of grass seedlings and 52% of forb seedlings emerging from 0-4 cm. The corresponding figures for annual and perennial species were 38% and 67%, resp. Mean percentage emergence of grasses and perennial forbs declined significantly with depth, reflecting a lack of long-term viability combined with a lack of soil inversion in recent years. Biennial forbs behaved similarly. Mean percentage germination of annual forbs did not alter with depth, reflecting incorporation during previous annual cultivation cycles and considerable longevity. Poa annua showed a depth-related germination pattern which was consistent with that of perennial grasses rather than annual forbs. The seed bank contained many annual weed seeds, but very few seeds of species characteristic of chalk grassland. These seeds were all of minority components of chalk grassland vegetation. It was concluded that management aimed at re-establishing chalk grassland vegetation should avoid soil disturbance, which would release many annual weed seeds of arable cultivation from enforced dormancy in the seed bank. Growth of such weeds may be enhanced following soil improvement during the years of cultivation, leaving little opportunity for less competitive chalk grassland perennial species with small seed banks to become established.