The viable seed content of soil samples from five coniferous forest stands in northern Sweden, aged 16ndash;169 years, was determined by means of germination trials. The soil samples were separated into five fractions: three organic horizons and two mineral soil horizons. Seedlings of 15 phanerogam species emerged, representing densities of 239ndash;763ensp;seeds/m2in the soils from the different stands. The depth distributions of the seeds varied with both plant species and forest stand. Most seeds were found at various depths in the humus layer, but in one stand an appreciable seed density ofLuzula pilosawas present in the mineral soil. Most of the seedlings belonged to plant species present in the vegetation or with good means of dispersal. The depth distribution data, however, suggest thatLuzula pilosain particular may have a persistent seed bank. The role of persistent seeds in the vegetational composition of the boreal forest is discussed.
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