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Comparisons of soil seed bank classification systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2007

Péter Csontos and
Júlia Tamás
Péter Csontos*
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Taxonomy and Ecology L. Eötvös University, Pázmány P. stny. 1/c, Budapest, H-1117, Hungary
Júlia Tamás*
Affiliation:
Botanical Garden of the L. Eötvös University, Illés u. 25., Budapest, H-1083, Hungary
*
*Correspondence Email: cspeter@ludens.elte.hu
†The authors dedicate this paper to Professor Tamás Pócs (Eger, Hungary) upon the occasion of his 70th birthday.
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Abstract

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Since 1969, ten soil seed bank classification systems have been published. Among these systems, the number of recognized seed bank categories varies from three to twelve. Seed longevity is the main factor used for distinguishing categories, but dormancy and germination types are also important. Systems considering relatively few seed bank categories have been the most commonly proposed in contemporary plant ecology. In contrast, systems involving high numbers of categories have received limited interest because the detailed ecological knowledge of individual species required for their successful categorization is usually missing. A comprehensive table on the main features of seed bank classification systems is provided.

Keywords

dormancypersistent seed bankseed bank classificationtransient seed bank

Information

Type
Research Opinion
Information
Seed Science Research , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , June 2003, pp. 101 - 111
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

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