Floristic characterization of the soil seed bank in a riparian forest

Caracterização florística do banco de sementes do solo de uma floresta ripária

The Atlantic Forest has been subjected to intense anthropogenic pressures driven by deforestation. To enhance the natural regeneration of these areas, understanding the soil seed bank (SSB) dynamics is essential. This study aimed to perform a floristic characterization of the species within the SSB of a riparian forest in Southern Brazil. A 100 x 100 m plot was established parallel to the riverbanks, subdivided into 100 sampling units (10 x 10 m each), of which 33 were randomly selected for SSB collection. The samples were transported to a nursery at the Federal University of Santa Maria and placed in a greenhouse for seedling emergence. Emerging seedlings were identified and counted for floristic analysis. The following ecological indices were calculated: Shannon diversity (H'), Pielou evenness (J'), and Simpson dominance (D). A total of 66 species distributed across 29 botanical families were recorded, with Asteraceae exhibiting the highest species richness. The predominant life form was herbaceous (66.89%), followed by lianas, shrubs, trees, and epiphytes. Regarding seed dispersal, while a majority of individuals remained unidentified (59.87%), anemochory was the predominant syndrome among the identified specimens.

Keywords
Species diversity; Species richness; Natural regeneration