Effect of depth, seasonality and light on a soil seed bank of rupestrian grassland

• Published in: Ciência Florestal
• Main Authors: Veloso, Cristina Pereira de Jesus, Figueiredo, João Carlos Gomes, Mota, Nayara Mesquita, Luz, Giovana Rodrigues da, Azevedo, Islaine Franciely Pinheiro de, Fernandes, Geraldo Wilson, Nunes, Yule Roberta Ferreira
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria 2022
• Subjects: Banco de propágulos; Camada do solo; Clima; Cadeia do Espinhaço; Propagule bank; Soil layer; Climate; Espinhaço Mountain Range; Alta
• Online Access: https://periodicos.ufsm.br/cienciaflorestal/article/view/63100; https://doi.org/10.5902/1980509863100

The floristic composition of the rupestrian grasslands comprises a mosaic of species with different adaptations exhibiting high diversity and endemism. However, the plant species from rupestrian grasslands are dependent on site-specific conditions and their reproduction is almost always limited, making natural regeneration after disturbances difficult. The soil seed bank represents a potential factor for the regeneration of this environment. The objective was to evaluate the soil seed bank of different depths of a rupestrian grassland area, collected in two climatic seasons and submitted to different light conditions. The samples composed of litter and soil (0-5 cm) were collected in 13 plots of 100 m2, in a rupestrian grassland area in Serra do Cipó (Minas Gerais state), in dry and rainy seasons. The samples were subjected to full sun and shading conditions. In total, 185 seedlings of 31 species and nine botanical families emerged. The richest families were Cyperaceae, Poaceae and Asteraceae. There was variation in richness, abundance and floristic composition among the soil strata, but no variation was observed in relation to seasonality and light conditions. The soil samples presented higher values of the evaluated parameters in relation to those ones of litter, showing that the seed bank is more representative in the soil stratum. These results demonstrate that there is potential for rupestrian grassland regenerations through the seed bank, especially the soil stratum. A composição florística dos campos rupestres compreende um mosaico de espécies com adaptações distintas, exibindo alta diversidade e endemismo. Entretanto, as plantas dos campos rupestres possuem dependência às condições específicas do local e sua reprodução quase sempre é limitada, tornando difícil a regeneração natural após perturbações. O banco de sementes do solo representa um fator potencial para a regeneração deste ambiente. Objetivou-se avaliar o banco de sementes do solo de diferentes profundidades de uma área de campo rupestre, ...