Seed banks of Erica australis and Calluna vulgaris in a heathland subjected to experimental fire

Soil samples were collected before and after an experimental fire on a heat hland in the province of Leon (Spain). The seed banks were assessed by coun ting the numbers of seedlings appearing of Erica australis and Calluna vulg aris. A total of 2285 germinable seeds/m(2) before burning and 1177 germina ble seeds/m(2) after the fire were estimated for Erica australis, and 90 an d 690 germinable seeds/m(2), respectively, for Calluna vulgar is. After the fire the number of germinable seeds/m(2) of Erica australis had decreased, whilst there was a considerable increase in the number of germinable seeds /m(2) of Calluna vulgaris. Neither seedlings nor sprouts of Calluna vulgari s had appeared in the field plots 10 months after the fire. Erica australis did recover mainly by sprouting after fire.