The effects of hybridization on the small-scale variation in seed-bank composition of a rare plant species, Erica ciliaris L.

Rose, R. J.. 2007 The effects of hybridization on the small-scale variation in seed-bank composition of a rare plant species, Erica ciliaris L. Seed Science Research, 17 (3). 201-210. 10.1017/S0960258507782855

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Abstract/Summary

The size and composition of the seed bank of a rare species (Erica ciliaris L.) was analysed. E. ciliaris hybridizes with a common relative in southern England (Erica tetralix). The seed banks of these co-occurring species were measured at a number of sites with a range of vegetation types and different management histories. Additional sets of samples were taken from forestry plantations on former heathland sites, where these species were known to occur. Relatively few hybrid seedlings were found in any of the seed-bank samples, even though their vegetative abundance within the sampling areas was equal to that of the pure plants. However, the abundance in the vegetation of the two pure species was reflected in the seed-bank size on each of the vegetation types, both with and without burning management. The seed banks from the forestry plantations show that the numbers of seeds of both E. tetralix and the hybrid were depleted, but that the seed bank of E. ciliaris was not significantly different from that of open heathland seed banks. The long-lived nature of the seed bank indicates that there are opportunities for habitat restoration on former heathland sites

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1017/S0960258507782855
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biodiversity
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Parr
ISSN:	0960-2585
Additional Keywords:	conservation, disturbance, Erica ciliaris, Erica tetralix, extinction, forestry, heathland, plant hybridization, restoration, seed bank
NORA Subject Terms:	Botany
Date made live:	14 Jan 2008 15:33 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/2018

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1017/S0960258507782855

Programmes:

CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biodiversity

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Parr

ISSN:

0960-2585

Additional Keywords:

conservation, disturbance, Erica ciliaris, Erica tetralix, extinction, forestry, heathland, plant hybridization, restoration, seed bank