Effects of some edaphic factors on standing vegetation and soil seed bank

There is a divergent of views about the relationship between vegetation and soil characteristics in different habitats. In addition, there are limited studies about the relationship between soil seed bank and soil characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between three edaphic factors (texture, EC and organic matter) with vegetation and of soil seed bank composition. Therefore, 50 plots (2 × 2m) were established on a salt-marsh site in spring. Soil samples were collected (from two different depths (0-5 and 5-10cm) to determine the composition of seed bank and perform soil chemical and physical analysis. In addition, the composition of above-ground vegetation was estimated in the growing season. Soil seed bank composition was determined in the greenhouse through a seed germination experiment. Multivariate analysis (ordination) and step-wise regression were performed to analyze the data. The results showed that EC and organic matter had a significant effect on the vegetation distribution, while these effects were less pronounced for soil seed bank composition. The cover of dominant species was affected by soil texture but edaphic factors had no significant effects on the soil seed composition and the seed density of dominant species.