Methods of estimating seed banks with reference to

Authors: Masaki IshikawaGoto Shiro Tsuyuzaki

Publish Date: 2004/03/18

Volume: 117, Issue: 3, Pages: 245-248

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Abstract

We compared two standard seedbank estimation techniques using buried seed populations that had been covered to depths of 1 m by volcanic deposits for 20 years Some seeds were germinated in a greenhouse germination method GM and other seeds were extracted by flotation using 50 K2CO3 solution floatation method FM In total FM could detect more species and seeds in the soils than GM However many species that were extracted by FM did not germinate by GM and smaller seeds were extracted to a lesser extent by FM FM and GM have distinct advantages and disadvantages We concluded that the application of a single method should be avoided in estimating seed banks in particular for longlived seed banks because the seeds cannot be readily germinated and are structurally weakThe authors thank K Narita and Y Yamada for field assistance H Okada and all staff members of Usu Volcano Observatory for providing facilities Muroran Forest Management Office and Date City Office for permission to conduct research in a restricted area Without the idea of Dr S Yoshida Emeritus Professor Hokkaido University we could not have conducted the present research Funds for this study were partly provided by the Ministry of Education Science and Culture of Japan

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