The significance of soil seed reserves in the seasonal wetlands of south Florida and their possible applications for habitat restoration
Sleszynski PA. 1991. The significance of soil seed reserves in the seasonal wetlands of south Florida and their possible applications for habitat restoration. University of Florida
This thesis study concerns the species composition of seed reserves in the soils of Big Cypress National Preserve and the relationship to plant community structure. The study sites are in several habitat types, including open prairies as well as forested cypress domes and strands. Results show that while seeds in the soil are largely forb and sedge species, the dominant above-ground vegetation is perennial grasses. Soil seed density varies seasonally, but is generally low and with seeds of limited viability. For seedlings of some species, survival is affected more by relative elevation than by soil type or plot location, while those of others are influenced by all these factors. The report also discusses effects of fire during wet and dry seasons. With analytic tables, data graphs.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Sleszynski, Peter
- Date of Issue
- 1991
- Publisher
- University of Florida
- Units
- BICY
- Keywords
- cypress forest, FIRE, Plant Communities, Plant Studies, Prairie, Seed Bank, Species Composition, Thesis