Effects of disturbance intensity on seasonal dynamics of alpine meadow soil seed banks on the Tibetan Plateau

摘要: Information on soil seed bank processes is crucial for understanding vegetation dynamics. Despite the documented importance of banks in many ecosystems, their role not fully understood some sensitive habitats, such as alpine meadows Tibetan Plateau. We studied seasonal dynamics germinable under four disturbance intensities an meadow Plateau well size distribution relative to intensity. Composition was compared with that standing vegetation. Density buried seeds increased intensity, but species richness and diversity decreased. Seed density varied seasonally all layers (0–2, 2–7, 7–12 cm) whole (0–12 cm). The composition significantly influenced by season. There no trend increased. Seasonal turnover rates increase disturbance. result NMDS showed exhibited a fairly uniform pattern each Although relatively low degree similarity season, highest most disturbed habitat. alteration regardless decreased Disturbances plant communities might persistence regeneration niches. Regeneration from together vegetative reproduction contributed aboveground highly habitats. Clonal played important slightly areas, where there little contribution ruderals banks.