Presence of Cistus species (Cistaceae) in the soil seed bank of a grassland in the raña of Cabañeros National Park

Abstract

The presence of Cistus species in the soil seed bank in the pasture of the central raña in Cabañeros National Park, which were present in previous plant stages, was investigated. The study was carried out in two steps: firstly, the complete soil seed bank was analysed, from the pasture edge to 100 m towards the raña centre, and secondly, the soil seed bank of woody Cistaceae species was investigated, from 100 to 300 m inland. A long-term persistent highly viable and dormant seed bank of C. ladanifer and C. salvifolius (738 seeds/m2 at 0-10 cm depth) was detected. This seed stock showed a random spatial distribution in the raña. The consequences for the management of the pasture are disccused.