Seed Production and Seed Bank of Sabina vulgaris Ant. in the Mu Us Desert, Inner Mongolia, China.

Abstract

Seed production and seed bank of Sabina vulgaris were studied to clarify the regeneration mechanism by seeds in the Mu Us desert of Inner Mongolia, China. Seed production of S. vulgaris was greater at the bottom part of stabilized dune than at the ridge. A number of buried seeds were obserbed under the canopy of S. vulgaris, but, on the other hand there were very few seeds at the out of canopy. Mean size of seed bank under canopy was 2600-4800/m² at the bottom, and 567-1575/m² at the ridge. The ratio of buried viable seeds was 2.9-3.8% at the bottom, and 4.0-8.8% at the ridge. Seedlings of S. vulgaris were only found under canopy at the bottom part of stabilized dune, where distance to ground water was short, and such habitat was considered to be suitable for germination.