Soil seed bank distribution and restoration potential in the vegetation of Buska Mountain range, Hamar district, southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

. Jaccard's Similarity Coefficient is relatively higher (0.52) between grassland and scrub, while the forest and bare land had the least amount of similarity (0.22). There was seen a higher similarity of species between the first and second soil layers and a decreasing density with soil depth. A substantial difference between the aboveground species and seed bank was recorded in the area. The lower resemblance between the standing vegetation and the seed bank infers a lower overall restoration potential and suggests other alternative regeneration mechanisms such as seedling plantation of priority indigenous plant species and avoiding anthropogenic disturbances.

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