Abstract
Seedling emergence technique frequently used in soil seed bank studies indicates that seeds of Miombo species are not present in the soil seed bank. Does this method limit the detection of seeds of Miombo species in the soil seed bank? This question has not been investigated systematically. The present study aims to find out whether the seedling emergency method limits the detection of seeds of Miombo species in the soil seed bank of Miombo woodlands. In the investigation, seedling emergence and extraction methods were used to estimate soil seed bank in Miombo woodlands. Data were obtained from 50 circular plots of 15-meter radii. For extraction method, three 1m length, 1m width and 5cm depth soil sample were collected in each plot. Samples were sieved; the isolated seeds identified, composited and taken to a laboratory for viability test. On the same plot, other three soil samples were taken using a steel core of 5cm diameter and 15cm height. Samples were composited, and a subsample from each plot was taken to a greenhouse for seedling emergence experiment. Only 2 tree species were detected when the seedling emergence method was used: none of them of Miombo species. Under extraction method, 19 tree species were detected together with species of typical Miombo ecosystem. Julbernardia globiflora, which is an important Miombo species, had 23 individuals. This difference was significant, indicating that the seedling emergence method underestimates not only the seed bank of Miombo species, but the seed bank of other tree species as well.
Recommended Citation
M. Amir, Halima and Manoko, Mkabwa L. K
(2019)
"Does the Seedling Emergence Technique Limit the Detection of Seeds of Miombo Species in Miombo Woodlands?,"
Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 8
:
No.
2
, Article 7.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v8.i2.6