Seed-bank characteristics in mixed-mesophytic forest clearcuts and edges: Does "edge effect" extend to the seed bank?

Abstract

Little is known about the seed banks of mixed-mesophytic forest clearcuts or their associated forest edges. Seed banks were described and compared to better understand how seed density, species richness, and composition change with increasing distance from clearcuts. Thirty-two taxa were found in the seed bank of clearcuts, and 44 were found in adjacent forest edges. Annuals represented 41% of seeds in clearcuts, but only 8% in edges, while trees and shrubs represented 3% in both areas. Seed-bank density and species richness varied significantly within and between clearcuts, but clearcuts were no different in seed-bank density and richness from interior forest seed banks. Seed-bank density declined significantly with distance from clearcuts on west-facing forest edges, but demonstrated no discernable spatial pattern on south-facing edges. Overall, edge effects from clearcutting on adjacent forest seed banks were demonstrated in total seed density and in several common wind-dispersed, early-successional herbaceous species, including Erechtites hieraciifolia (L.) Raf. and Lobelia inflata L., and Vitis, a common ingestion-dispersed species. The seed-shadow edge effect may influence both current and future community characteristics and population dynamics of vegetation in mixed-mesophytic forest edges adjacent to clearcuts.Key words: seed banks, clearcutting, edge effects, mixed-mesophytic forest, West Virginia.