Effects of water level on three wetlands soil seed banks on the Tibetan Plateau.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although the effect of water level on germination in soil seed banks has been documented in many ecosystems, the mechanism is not fully understood, and to date no empirical studies on this subject exist. Further, no work has been done on the effect of water level on seed banks of drying and saline-alkaline wetlands in alpine areas on the Tibetan Plateau.

Methodology

We examined the effects of water level (0 cm, 5 cm and 10 cm) on seed germination and seedling establishment from soil seed banks at 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm depths in typical, drying, and saline-alkaline wetlands. We also explore the potential role of soil seed bank in restoration of drying and saline-alkaline wetlands.

Principal findings

Species richness decreased with increase in water level, but t

SUBMITTER: Ma M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4077783 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature