Seed bank classification of the Strandveld Succulent Karoo, South Africa

Laboratory characteristics of seeds of 37 species (41 seed types) from the Strandveld Succulent Karoo were used to predict seed bank types according to a modified key of Grime and Hillier (1981). Five seed bank strategies were recognized for this vegetation type, i.e. two with transient and three with persistent seed bank strategies. Of the 37 species investigated, 32% (all perennial species) had transient seed bank strategies, while 68% had persistent seed bank strategies. Seed dispersal of these 37 species was mainly anemochorous, although antitelechoric elements such as myxospermy, hygrochasy, heterodiaspory and synaptospermy were found among these species. The seed bank alone will not be sufficient to restore the vegetation of damaged land in the Strandveld Succulent Karoo, since many of the dominant species in the vegetation do not produce persistent seed banks. Many of these species may, however, be dispersed by wind into revegetation areas from surrounding vegetation. Topsoil replacement, seeding and transplanting of selected species will be essential for the successful revegetation of mined areas in this part of Namaqualand.