DEPLETION OF VIABLE SEEDS OF BETULA-PUBESCENS AND BETULA-VERRUCOSA SOWN ONTO SOME NORTH SWEDISH FOREST SOILS

During the 1st year after seeding, the population of viable birch seeds in the soil declined to c6% of the original. During the 2nd year, the rate of depletion was much smaller and the population of viable seeds decreased to c3% of the original. Seeds produced in a forest stand and stored in the soil at the time of clear-cutting could give rise to Betula seedlings. The risk would be strongly reduced if seed-producing birch trees are removed a few years ahead of clear-cutting, when birch regeneration is undesirable. -from Authors