Comparison of emergence methods to evaluate viable plant propagules in forest soils following fire

A comparison of immediate emergence with stratified emergence to evaluate soil seed banks from forest soils was made for 163 emergents from 12 vascular species. Significantly more plants emerged through the immediate than through the stratified method. Vaccinium spp. (blueberry) and Maianthemum canadense (Wild Lily-of-the-Valley) were favoured by immediate emergence whereas Oryzopsis pungens (a grass) was favoured by the stratified method. Germination of all other species remained unaffected by the emergence method. Depth of seed burial in the soil profile affected seed emergence.