Look before planting: using smokewater as an inventory tool to predict the soil seed bank and inform ecological management and restoration

Ruthrof, K.X., Calver, M.C., Dell, B. and Hardy, G.E.St.J. (2011) Look before planting: using smokewater as an inventory tool to predict the soil seed bank and inform ecological management and restoration. Ecological Management & Restoration, 12 (2). pp. 154-157.

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Abstract

This study tested the efficacy of smokewater to determine the potential germination from soil seed bank in three management sites of the same National Park: a forest site prior to restoration, an ex-pine plantation site and an ex-mine site. This will provide further information to land managers so that more accurate planning can occur. Results showed that smokewater significantly increased the germination from the soil seed bank, and significant differences in the level of germination of weed species from the soil seed bank were seen between the three management sites. This use of smokewater may be a useful tool to help predict differences in the soil seed bank compared with predicting soil seed bank based on land-use history and recent condition.