Seed banks of Erica australis and Calluna vulgaris in a heathland subjected to experimental fire

• Published in: Journal of vegetation science Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 161 - 166
• Main Authors: Valbuena, Luz, Tárrega, Reyes, Luis‐Calabuig, Estanislao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2000; Opulus Press
• Subjects: burning; Calluna vulgaris; Erica; Erica australis; Experimental fire; Fire ecology; Germination; Heathland; Heathlands; Nomenclature: Tutin et al. (1964-1980); Plants; Recovery; Seed bank; Seed banks; Seedlings; Seeds; Shrublands; soil sampling; Soil seed banks; sprouting; Vegetation
• ISSN: 1100-9233; 1654-1103
• DOI: 10.2307/3236795

Soil samples were collected before and after an experimental fire on a heathland in the province of León (Spain). The seed banks were assessed by counting the numbers of seedlings appearing of Erica australis and Calluna vulgaris. A total of 2285 germinable seeds/m² before burning and 1177 germinable seeds/m² after the fire were estimated for Erica australis, and 90 and 690 germinable seeds/m², respectively, for Calluna vulgaris. After the fire the number of germinable seeds/m² of Erica australis had decreased, whilst there was a considerable increase in the number of germinable seeds/m² of Calluna vulgaris. Neither seedlings nor sprouts of Calluna vulgaris had appeared in the field plots 10 months after the fire. Erica australis did recover mainly by sprouting after fire.