Seed input into a postfire forest site in northern Saskatchewan

Abstract

Seed traps were installed at seven sites along a transect in a burned mixedwood forest site in northern Saskatchewan to determine annual seed inputs. The seeds were returned to the laboratory for germination and identification. A total of 1698 seeds was collected in the 1977–1978 season, representing a seeding rate of 8.98 million seeds/ha. Epilobiumangustifolium L. was most abundant representing 63% of the total. Betulapapyrifera Marsh, accounted for 27.6% and Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss 6.1%. The seed count for 1978–1979 was 651 (3.44 million/ha) and represented a significant decline in herb and tree seeds. </jats:p