Effects of fire in different time periods on the composition and diversity of soil seed banks in Lorestan oak forests

In most ecosystems, the disturbance is an important agent of variation in community structure and composition. Determining the diversity and composition of the soil seed bank is essential for designing the conservation and restoration programs. In this study, the characteristics of soil seed banks were examined in different periods after a fire (One-year, five-year, ten-year of fire and control) in Kuhdasht city. In each area, 40 samples were collected from 0 to 20 cm depth. A 20 × 20 cm metal frame was used to collect soil seed bank samples. After the chilling treatment, soil samples were transferred and spread in the greenhouse. The results showed significant differences between similarity indices in the soil seed bank in four regions. The highest similarity of the soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation was observed in the control area and then 10-year in the fire area. The result of DCA showed that different fire severities and their effects on site conditions have been reflected clearly in the composition of the soil seed bank. Also, results showed the soil seed bank density differed significantly between four regions. The species with the highest soil seed bank density in the 10-year, 5-year, and one-year area were more and hemicryptophyte. The Shannon diversity, Margalef richness, and evenness indices differed significantly among the four regions. According to the results, changes in habitat after the fire in the short term are evident in soil seed bank composition and these changes are recovered over time.