Soil Seed Bank of Hugumbrda Forest, Ethiopia. Assessment of Soil Seed Bank Composition of Woody Species in Hugumbrda National Forest Priority, North Eastern Ethiopia

      Аннотация: Soil seed bank assessment of woody plant species was made in Hugumbrda national forest priority area, to assess the soil seed bank composition of woody species and estimate their regeneration status from soil seed bank. A total of 36 quadrates were established in the selected four habitats (sites) of Hugumbrda forest. The quadrates (20mx20m) were laid along line transect to examine similarity between standing vegetation and soil seed bank. Soil samples were collected from the sub-quadrates measuring 10cmx10cm litter layer and three separate soil layers each 3 cm thick (0-3 cm, 3–6 cm, 6–9 cm). Results from soil seed bank study showed the presence of 19 plant species which were obtained from seed count and seedling emergence from the sampled soils of all layers. Juniperus procera had the highest viable seed density than the remaining woody species (>50.5%). Only Afrocarpus falcatus seeds were non viable although very abundant (266.7seeds/m2). Except Cupressus lusitanica (3.7%), no exotic and alien woody species were found. The Shannon diversity index demonstrated low value for soil seed bank in Hugumbrda NFPA (H’=1.763). There was significant variation of seed.

Ключевые слова: Soil seed bank, soil layers, woody plant species, viable seeds, Hugumbrda forest