Changes of Floodplain Soil Seedbank after the Levee Construction in Cheongmicheon Stream, South Korea

초록

We compared species composition and functional traits of species and seeds in the connected floodplain and the isolated floodplain by the levees in Cheongmicheon Stream, South Korea. Floodplain soil was collected before spring germination (April), just before flood (July), and after flood (September) from each floodplain and seedbank were surveyed through the seedling emergence method. The similarity of species composition between actual vegetation and seed bank was low in both floodplains. Seed density of soils was higher in the connected floodplain than in the isolated floodplain. As the elevation from the water level increased, the soil seed density increased. Species diversity was similar between the two floodplain types, but the composition and life form of species were different. Seed density and species diversity of seeds were greatly affected by flood sediments. In conclusion, the species composition and seed traits of floodplain soil seedbanks are altered due to the changes in flood regime by the levee construction.