PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #13: Restoration Ecology.
Tuesday, August 7, 2001. Presentation from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Exhibition Hall
69
Comparison of seed bank composition and aboveground vegetation of a restored pasture.
Leary, Cathlene1, Howes-Keiffer, Carolyn1, 1
ABSTRACT- In areas of anthropogenic disturbance, effective means of restoration are necessary in order to reestablish functional communities and habitats. Disturbances related to restoration planting have the potential to influence this process by exposing the seed bank. Herbaceous vegetation and seed bank composition were evaluated on a pasture that is being restored to a lowland forest on an industrial site in southwestern Ohio. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between the seed bank and the aboveground vegetation on site. Herbaceous vegetation was measured in 8 plots using 20 1 m2 circular quadrats per plot. A total of 48 soil cores were collected (12 per plot) and species were described using germination methods of seed bank analysis. To clarify the above and belowground relationship, the data were approached at two scales, the plot (1000 m2) and sample (1 m2) level, using cluster analysis. Results indicate that the seed bank and aboveground vegetation composition at the plot scale form two discrete groups, with nearly 0% similarity (Sorensen's Index). At the sample scale, there were virtually two groups formed, also with nearly 0% similarity. A total of 57 species were recorded in the aboveground vegetation and 35 in the seed bank. The results of this study suggest that disturbances related to restoration planting may dramatically alter the herbaceous vegetation composition of the site.
KEY WORDS: seed bank