Soil Seed Bank and Ecological Implications for the Lakeshore Marsh of Bang Lake,a Part of Poyang Lake

Characteristics of soil seed banks in the lakeshore marsh of Bang Lake,a part of Poyang Lake,were studied under moist and inundation conditions using the germination test.A total of 33 species belonging to 15 families and 29 genera were recorded in the seed banks,with most being annual herbs.The most abundant families were Cyperaceae,Gramineae,Compositae,Scrophulariaceae,and Hydrocharitaceae.There was no significant difference in species richness and seedling density among water level zones.A total of 21 species were detected under moist condition,while 23 were detected under inundation conditions.A t-test showed that species richness in each germinated tray under inundation conditions(7.2±2.8) was significantly higher than that under moist conditions(4.2±2.0).No significant difference in seedling density was found between moist and inundation conditions.Seedlings germinated under moist conditions were mainly composed of mud-flat and emergent species,while those under inundation conditions included seven submerged species.According to the above results,this paper discusses the important role of spring water levels of the Poyang Lake in terms of vegetation development and conservation in littoral zones.