title: Methods of estimating seed banks with reference to long-term seed burial.
abstract: We compared two standard seed-bank estimation techniques using buried seed populations that had been covered to depths of >1 m by volcanic deposits for 20 years. Some seeds were germinated in a greenhouse (germination method [GM]), and other seeds were extracted by flotation using 50% K(2)CO(3) solution (flotation method [FM]). In total, FM could detect more species and seeds in the soils than GM. However, many species that were extracted by FM did not germinate by GM and smaller seeds were extracted to a lesser extent by FM. FM and GM have distinct advantages and disadvantages. We concluded that the application of a single method should be avoided in estimating seed banks, in particular for long-lived seed banks, because the seeds cannot be readily germinated and are structurally weak.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Section, Urban Arboretum, Musashi Park Managing Center, Parks and Recreation Foundation, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishikawa-Goto
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsuyuzaki
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D017753:Ecosystem; D018525:Germination / Q000502:physiology*; D007564:Japan; D012639:Seeds / Q000502:physiology*; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012987:Soil