The relationship between the seed bank and abovegound vegetation in the context of sagebrush restoration

Kristen Pekas, M.S. candidate, Utah State University, kmpekas@cc.usu.edu

Gene Schupp

This study will examine the impacts of restoration treatments on the seed bank and how these impacts influence the vegetation response to restoration.

Pretreatment soil seed bank samples were collected in August 2006 from subplots in the prescribed burn, herbicide, and control plots.  Subplots in the burn and control plots were resampled shortly after the fire. All subplots were resampled in August 2007. The seed bank will be evaluated by direct germination in a greenhouse. Aboveground vegetation is also being surveyed before and after treatments.

Results from this project will help land managers determine the most effective restoration treatment for a site by providing information on potential impacts of treatments on the seed bank.