Vascular plant propagule banks of six eastern hemlock stands in the Catskill Mountains of New York

We estimated species composition and densities of vascular plant propagule banks in six eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) stands in the Catskill Moun tains:of New York. Soil samples were collected and observed in a glasshouse ; germinants were identified and removed over a one year period. Yellow bir ch (Betula alleghaniensis) seeds, evergreen woodfern (Dryopteris intermedia ) spores, and hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) spores germinate d in abundance from the propagule banks (means of 722, 2858, and 296 m(-2), respectively) even though hay-scented fern only occurred in the understory of one stand. Seed densities were intermediate and propagule species richn ess values were low compared to previous studies of northeastern forests. E xisting vegetation was also characterized; hemlock was the dominant tree sp ecies in all stands (67-87%; of basal area), with lesser abundances of red maple (Acer rubrum), yellow birch and/or American beech (Fagus grandifolia) . Striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum), red maple, yellow birch, evergreen wo odfern, shining clubmoss (Lycopodium lucidulum), and common wood sorrel (Ox alis acetosella) occurred in understories of most stands. Understory vegeta tion and propagule banks indicated potential stand replacement by evergreen woodfern and, eventually, yellow birch in the event of a major disturbance leading to hemlock mortality. However, hay-scented fern could become abund ant if woody species are over-browsed by while-tailed deer.