The seed bank ofEupatorium odoratumalong a successional gradient in a tropical rain forest in Ghana

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Abstract
The germinable seed bank of the colonizing weedEupatorium odoratumwas studied at the University of Ghana's Agricultural Research Station, near Kade. Five sites representing different successional stages were selected: a closed-canopy forest; intermittent-canopy forest; secondary forest; agricultural land; and a burnt forest. Twenty-five soil samples (each 500 cm3; 10×10×5 cm) were taken at random in each site, to be used for germination experiments. The secondary forest site had significantly more seeds ofEupatorium odoratum(8428 seeds per m2) than any of the other four sites. In this siteEupatorium odoratumconstituted 81% of the total seed bank and had significantly more rapid germination of seeds than any other species. The results indicate that the existence of a soil seed bank may depend on: (1) time allowed for seed accumulation; (2) habitat accessibility to dispersing seeds; (3) the type of disturbance that occurs in an area; (4) dispersal capabilities of colonizing species; and (5) the history of the species′ distribution in the area.