Reserves of buried seeds in beaver ponds

Abstract

Reserves of buried seeds are known to have an important role in the dynamics of plant communities. This is particularly so in wetlands, where periodic low water events are essential for plants to re-establish from seeds. In spite of the growing literature on reserves of buried seeds, little is known about this resource in beaver ponds. This study was designed to 1) document species found in beaver pond seed banks, 2) estimate their relative abundance, and 3) test whether the abundance and richness of seeds differ between young and old beaver ponds. Soil samples were collected from 14 beaver ponds in Gatineau Park (Quebec) in May 1995. Samples were spread out in plastic trays containing a sand and peat substrate and were placed in a growth chamber with fluctuating light and temperature regimes to stimulate germination. More than 2000 seedlings representing 42 species germinated from the various soil samples, yielding an estimated density of 2300 seedlings/m².Juncus effusus (426 seeds/m²),Leersia oryzoides (390 seeds/m²),Scirpus cyperinus (246 seeds/m²),Juncus brevicaudatus (170 seeds/m²), andLudwiga palustris (98 seeds/m²) were the 5 most abundant species. The abundance and richness of germinating seeds did not differ significantly between young and old beaver ponds.