A. Schoppguth et al., INFLUENCE OF MANAGEMENT ON THE SEED PRODUCTION AND SEED BANK OF CALCAREOUS FEN SPECIES, Journal of vegetation science, 5(4), 1994, pp. 569-578
The dynamics of the seed production and seed bank of two dominant pere
nnial species of calcareous fens were investigated in response to diff
erent mowing frequency, fallow or pasture. The production of fertile s
hoots responded strongly to management practices. On sites where mowin
g alternated with fallow, autumn mowing led to an increase of fertile
shoot density in Schoenus ferrugineus and a decrease in Molinia caerul
ea in the subsequent season. Repeated annual mowing after long-term fa
llow raised the density in Schoenus and inhibited initiation of flower
ing shoots in Molinia. Seed set and viability were influenced mainly b
y climatic or other factors. Variation of seed production between site
s and in consecutive years at the same site could thus be large. The r
elationship between total seed production and seed bank was weak, but
it improved when germination rates were included in the calculation. A
s the seed bank was generally smaller than the viable seed production,
low survival and a high turnover of seeds in the upper soil layers is
assumed for both species. Implications for recruitment strategies are
discussed.