The influence of seed dynamics on the restoration potential of white box (Eucalyptus albens Benth.) woodlands in eastern Australia

Efforts to restore Australian woodlands have emphasised stock removal, but this approach does not always lead to increased native species diversity. I examined the potential for the soil seed bank and the seed rain to provide propagules of native species in open and cleared woodlands under four grazing regimes in degraded white box woodlands in New South Wales during two seasons. The potential for smoke water to increase the germination rate of seeds was also examined. October and February samples differed significantly from each other, as did the interaction of season with clearing history, but two years of fencing had no effect on the seed bank or seed rain. No species were found in the seed bank or the seed rain that were not present in the standing vegetation. Smoke water increased germination of both natives and exotics. It appears unlikely that species lost from the system will recover without active reintroduction.