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Seed banks of Erica australis and Calluna vulgaris in a heathland subjected to experimental fire
Author(s) -
Valbuena Luz,
Tárrega Reyes,
LuisCalabuig Estanislao
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1654-1103
pISSN - 1100-9233
DOI - 10.2307/3236795
Subject(s) - calluna , ericaceae , biology , botany
Abstract. Soil samples were collected before and after an experimental fire on a heathland in the province of León (Spain). The seed banks were assessed by counting the numbers of seedlings appearing of Erica australis and Calluna vulgaris. A total of 2285 germinable seeds/m 2 before burning and 1177 germinable seeds/m 2 after the fire were estimated for Erica australis , and 90 and 690 germinable seeds/m 2 , respectively, for Calluna vulgaris. After the fire the number of germinable seeds/m 2 of Erica australis had decreased, whilst there was a considerable increase in the number of germinable seeds/m 2 of Calluna vulgaris. Neither seedlings nor sprouts of Calluna vulgaris had appeared in the field plots 10 months after the fire. Erica australis did recover mainly by sprouting after fire.