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Diversity and Composition of Vegetation and Soil Seed Banks After Sand Dune Restoration by Oil Mulching and Plantations

March 20, 2025

The soil seed bank (SSB) is a valuable reservoir of seeds hidden in the soil, playing a crucial role in vegetation establishment under adverse environmental conditions. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the effects of restoration measures on SSB, particularly in arid ecosystems. This study examines the impacts of oil mulching (1 and 3 years after application) and plantations (15-year-old) on the diversity and composition of SSB and aboveground vegetation (AGV) compared to non-restored areas. The results indicate that species richness was low in the studied area (36 species from 16 families), with SSB contributing less than AGV (11 and 34 species, respectively). The highest number of exclusive species was observed in the plantation treatment, while the lowest was recorded in the 1-year mulching treatment. The diversity indices revealed that the highest values occurred in the plantation and 3-year mulching plots. Seed density was significantly greater in the plantation area compared to the other treatments. The analysis of plant composition demonstrated that the plantation treatment was distinct from other treatments, with the 3-year mulching site being the closest to it. These findings suggest a trade-off between the short-term and long-term effects of oil mulching, where initial negative impacts diminish over time, leading to positive ecological outcomes. Ultimately, oil mulching, in combination with afforestation, fosters a favorable microclimate, improving AGV and SSB diversity and composition.

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