http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:14267 Wed 07 Apr 2021 14:02:21 AEST ]]> http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:11619 Wed 07 Apr 2021 13:56:55 AEST ]]> http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:10926 Wed 07 Apr 2021 13:56:18 AEST ]]> http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:10261 Wed 07 Apr 2021 13:55:36 AEST ]]> http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:5392 Wed 07 Apr 2021 13:45:02 AEST ]]> http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:19107 9 years previous to sampling. In addition, (iv) in order to provide comparative data, adjacent sites (iv) chosen for future restoration and (v) with remnant vegetation, were also sampled. From samples, a total of 8858 seedlings were recorded from the seed bank and the vegetation survey showed 170 species, with exotic species being more numerous than native. The seed rain (a total of 1422 seeds) was dominated by exotic species at all sites. When comparing the vegetation distribution and the seed rain composition, it was clear that whilst the seed bank was more promising as a comparative recruitment source of native species, there were still too many sites dominated by exotic species to rely on this as a long-term restoration strategy. However, this study indicated that there were significant variations in restoration potential among the sites, suggesting that some careful prior site selection for investment of restoration efforts is an important issue. As a consequence, we have recommended that a detailed understanding of the soil seed bank and seed rain species composition prior to the restoration is essential, since a positive seed bank composition with a significant relative density of native species seeds, will provide an indication of native species’ resilience and their potential for recovery. We therefore believe that the findings of this study will provide valuable information to natural resource management agencies regarding the strategy for prioritisation of restoration sites, which will be more beneficial than randomly selecting sites for habitat restoration. In addition, with successful sector restoration, it is expected that the increasing usefulness of the seed bank will allow further restoration of adjacent areas with time. © 2023 The Authors]]> Tue 26 Mar 2024 13:16:10 AEDT ]]>