Seed spreading in streams
We study how plant seeds spread and establish in streams and river valleys and how seed impacts affect biodiversity. By way of example we investigate how many and which seeds are sedimented during flooding of river valleys and whether the seeds enrich the existing plant communities.
Moreover, we study whether the catchment impacts the seed pool – whether, for instance, more different seeds are sediment in nature-rich catchments than in agricultural catchments. We use both experimental set-ups such as artificial flow deflectors and greenhouses in our studies.
Responsible: Annette Baattrup-Pedersen abp@dmu.dk
Last updated: March 2010
Seed germination in trays in the greenhouse at Påskehøjgaard.
We observe which plant species germinate in sediment
deposited in River Odense in connection with a spring
flooding event. The sediment was gathered along a gradient
ranging from the stream edge to 30 m up the river valley.
Germination in sediment gathered at Tykskov, River Skjern,
with a relatively nature-rich catchment. We monitor the
germination sequence of species by using pins with differently
coloured heads. The picture shows watercress and willow-herb.
 | National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University |