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Soil seed bank characteristics in relation to different shrub species in semiarid regions
  • Reza Erfanzadeh,
  • Mahbubeh Hadinezhad,
  • Hassan Ghelichnia
Reza Erfanzadeh
Tarbiat Modares University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Mahbubeh Hadinezhad
Tarbiat Modares University
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Hassan Ghelichnia
Natural Resources Department, Mazandaran Agriculture Research, Education and Extension Organization
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Abstract

Little information is available about the effects of different species of shrubs on the composition of the soil seed bank (SSB) in semiarid regions. We determined the role of three dominant shrub species on SSB characteristics and evaluated their potential for their possible use in rangeland restoration projects. Fifteen sites, each containing three shrub species (Amygdalus scoparia, Daphne mezereum and Ebenus stellata) and a herbaceous patch (control) in close proximity, were sampled and their SSB density, species richness and diversity at 0-10 cm depth were determined. The results showed that the density of the SSB was highest under A. scoparia (1133 seeds per m2) and lowest in herbaceous vegetation (110 seeds per m2). Species richness and diversity of the SSB was significantly greater under E. stellata than under the other shrubs and control. This study revealed that the extent to which vegetation affected SSB characteristics did not only depend on the presence of shrubs, but also on the species of shrub. These different roles of different species of shrubs on SSB are advised to be considered in the restoration of degraded areas through planting of shrubs in semiarid regions. Planting and the extension of E. stellata cover in degraded sites could be of priority due to its prominent role in herbaceous SSB reservoir and species diversity and richness.
03 May 2020Submitted to Land Degradation & Development
04 May 2020Submission Checks Completed
04 May 2020Assigned to Editor
13 May 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
03 Jun 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Jul 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
16 Jul 20201st Revision Received
17 Jul 2020Submission Checks Completed
17 Jul 2020Assigned to Editor
06 Aug 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Aug 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
03 Oct 20202nd Revision Received
03 Oct 2020Submission Checks Completed
03 Oct 2020Assigned to Editor
13 Oct 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Oct 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
01 Nov 20203rd Revision Received
02 Nov 2020Submission Checks Completed
02 Nov 2020Assigned to Editor
13 Nov 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Accept