Comparison of two methods for estimating the size of the viable seed bank of two plant communities in the Strandveld of the west coast, South Africa

Due to the important role of the soil seed bank in revegetation studies, the viable seed content of two sites at Brand se Baai (Strandveld of the west coast, South Africa) was estimated by means of the emergence and flotation methods. Most of the seeds were found to be small and only 'apparent viability’ was determined after flotation had been completed. The average size of the seed bank differed significantly between the two sites and decreased with increased sampling depth. The flotation method yielded a significantly larger number of seeds per square metre than the emergence method. A combination of these two methods is, therefore, recommended for estimating the size of the germinable seed bank of the Brand se Baai area, due to the problems inherent to each method. As gevolg van die belangrike rol wat die saadbank in die grond speel in plantegroei-hervestigingstudies, is die lewensvatbare saadinhoud van twee lokaliteite by Brand se Baai (Strandveld van die weskus, Suid-Afrika) deur middel van saailingopkoms en flotering bepaal. Die meeste sade was klein en slegs die 'waarskynlike lewensvatbaarheid’ is bepaal nadat flotering voltooi is. Die gemiddelde grootte van die saadbank het betekenisvol verskil tussen die twee lokaliteite en het afgeneem met ’n toename in monsterdiepte. ’n Groter aantal sade per vierkante meter is deur die floteringsmetode opgelewer as deur die saailingopkomsmetode. As gevolg van probleme eie aan die twee metodes word ’n kombinasie van die twee metodes dus vir die bepaling van die grootte van die kiemkragtige saadbank van die Brand se Baai gebied aanbeveel.