[Forest soil seed bank and natural regeneration]

The characteristics of temporal dynamics and spatial distribution of forest soil seed bank and their effects on natural regeneration were reviewed in this paper. The density of the seed bank of forest soil, which is affected by the types and ages of forest, is lower than that of cultivated land and grassplot, and can vary widely. The extent to which the composition of forest soil seed bank is influenced by its counterpart plantation depends on the stages of succession. The dynamics of forest soil seed bank is the combined effect of periodical and random factors. It is suggested that forest soil seed bank is the material base of forest regeneration, and the configuration and function of forest soil seed bank would influence the ability and the direction of natural forest regeneration. According to the characteristics of forest soil seed bank and obstructive factors influencing regeneration, some artificial measures can be adopted to accelerate natural regeneration. Studies on the forest soil seed bank should focus on the application of basic theories of disturbed ecology, and regard the reconstruction of degenerative ecosystem and the succession of populations in the ecotone as the main contents to study. As for the research method, it is advisable to employ long-term and located observations.