Seed bank size and distribution of seeds in cottongrass tussock tundra, Eagle Creek, Alaska

Soil from cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum) tussock tundra at Eagle Creek, Alaska, was analyzed with respect to the distribution, abundance, and germination patterns of buried viable seeds. Seeds of Carex bigelowii, Eriophorum vaginatum, and Ledum palustre were abundant. Smaller amounts of Empetrum...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Botany
Main Author: McGraw, J. B.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1980
Subjects:
Plant Science
Arctic
Carex bigelowii
Empetrum nigrum
Eriophorum
Tundra
Alaska
Cotton-grass
Cottongrass
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b80-195
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b80-195
Description
Summary:Soil from cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum) tussock tundra at Eagle Creek, Alaska, was analyzed with respect to the distribution, abundance, and germination patterns of buried viable seeds. Seeds of Carex bigelowii, Eriophorum vaginatum, and Ledum palustre were abundant. Smaller amounts of Empetrum nigrum and Betula spp. were also present. Buried seeds were found to 21 cm below the soil surface. Germination was rapid in the first 3 weeks of exposure to greenhouse conditions and continued at a slower rate for 5 more weeks. The ecological importance of seed banks in arctic regions and their possible implications for management of cotton-grass tussock tundra vegetation are discussed.

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