The soil seed bank of a montane meadow: consequences of conifer encroachment and implications for restoration

We examined changes in the soil seed bank associated with conifer encroachment of montane meadows in the western Cascade Range of Oregon. We asked whether, and over what period of time, meadow species maintain viable seeds in the soil, and by implication, whether the seed bank can contribute to restoration if conifers are removed. Seed bank composition, ground vegetation, and forest age structure were quantified for 209 samples representing a chronose- quence of open meadow, young forest ( 200 years). The seed bank was substantial (44 taxa and 2332 germinants/m 2 ), but dominated by native ruderals (16 species comprising 71% of germinants). Greater than 70% of meadow species were absent from the seed bank. Thirteen meadow species accounted for 21% of all germinants, but most of these were the dominant sedge, Carex pensylvanica Lam.. Seed density, richness, and composition showed weak relationships to forest age, and little resemblance to the ground vegetation, which changed markedly with forest de- velopment. Our results suggest that there is limited potential for recovery of most meadow species via the seed bank. Nat- ural reestablishment of these species will require seed dispersal or gradual vegetative spread from existing openings, but competitive interactions with ruderal or forest species may limit recruitment or recovery.

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