Riparian seed banks: structure, process and implications for riparian management

Abstract

After a brief description of the evolution of seed bank research, this review highlights the importance of the seed bank in understanding the character and dynamics of river margins. Through a discussion of published research on wetlands in general, the lack of research focused on riparian systems is highlighted. This is followed by an evaluation of current knowledge concerning the nature and dynamics of riparian seed banks and the factors that control the erosion, transport and deposition of riparian seeds. The paper concludes by (i) indicating the complexity of the interactions that control the riparian seed bank and that require understanding if the consequences of alterations in river flow regime and riparian management are to be fully understood and (ii) identifying some major research gaps relating to interactions between fluvial processes and riparian seed banks.