ABSTRACT Background Little information is available about the effects of different species of shrubs on the composition of the soil seed bank (SSB) and how the SSB could contribute to restoration of degraded grasslands. Aims We determined the role of three dominant shrubs on SSB characteristics and evaluated their potential for their possible use in rangeland restoration projects. Methods Ten sites, each containing three shrub species (Onobrychis cornuta, Berberis integerrima and Juniperus sabina) and a herbaceous patch (control) in close proximity, were sampled and their SSB density, richness and diversity were determined. Results Density of the SSB at 0–5 cm depth was lowest under J. sabina and highest under herbaceous vegetation, but did not differ between B. integerrima and O. cornuta. SSB density at 5–10 cm depth was significantly greater under B. integerrima than under the other shrubs or herbaceous patch. Species richness of the SSB was significantly greater under B. integerrima at 5–10 cm depth than under the other shrubs. Conclusion 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. We recommend B. integerrima as a priority species in restoration projects due to its significant positive influences on SSB.

中文翻译：

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灌木对过度放牧牧场可发芽土壤种子库的影响

摘要 背景 关于不同种类灌木对土壤种子库 (SSB) 组成的影响以及 SSB 如何促进退化草地恢复的信息很少。目的 我们确定了三种优势灌木对 SSB 特征的作用，并评估了它们在牧场恢复项目中可能使用的潜力。方法 对 10 个地点进行采样，每个地点包含三种灌木物种（Onobrychis cornuta、Berberis integerrima 和 Juniperus sabina）和一个靠近的草本斑块（对照），并确定它们的 SSB 密度、丰富度和多样性。结果 0-5 cm 深度的 SSB 密度在 J. sabina 下最低，在草本植被下最高，但在 B. integerrima 和 O.cornuta 之间没有差异。B. integerrima 下 5-10 cm 深度处的 SSB 密度显着高于其他灌木或草本斑块。SSB 的物种丰富度在 B. integerrima 下在 5-10 cm 深度显着高于其他灌木下。结论 本研究表明，植被对 SSB 特征的影响程度不仅取决于灌木的存在，还取决于灌木的种类。我们推荐 B. integerrima 作为修复项目的优先物种，因为它对 SSB 有显着的积极影响。结论 本研究表明，植被对 SSB 特征的影响程度不仅取决于灌木的存在，还取决于灌木的种类。我们推荐 B. integerrima 作为修复项目的优先物种，因为它对 SSB 有显着的积极影响。结论 本研究表明，植被对 SSB 特征的影响程度不仅取决于灌木的存在，还取决于灌木的种类。我们推荐 B. integerrima 作为修复项目的优先物种，因为它对 SSB 有显着的积极影响。