Watershed liming and pit and mound topography effects on seed banks in the Adirondacks, New York, USA

摘要: Abstract Seed bank species composition, density, and frequency were evaluated as seedling emergence relative to differences in substrate chemistry associated with watershed liming pit mound topography (microsites) on the Woods Lake watershed, western Adirondack Mountains, NY. Liming was expected affect calcicole calcifuge richness while that form persistent versus transient seed banks vary microsite. Two of five subcatchments limed October, 1989 6.89 t ha−1 pelletized CaCO3. Forest floor samples collected May 1991 1992 from pit, mound, undisturbed microsites reference (untreated) subcatchments. Water soluble calcium concentrations forest almost ten times greater than subcatchments, but there no concentration among within a subcatchment. Species abundance varied microsites, magnitude depended year lime treatment. Relative frequencies Betula alleghaniensis (yellow birch) Oxalis acetosella (wood sorrel) exceeded 80% both years, slightly Differences for several between not consistent years. The all by microsite generally Total density individual treatments although some patterns exist. appreciably years microsites. whether or These data suggest are detrimental short-term effects upland deciduous forests. Microsites may plant community composition most through germination survical propagules.