The effects of systemic herbicide used for invasive species management on a native Florida scrub seed bank

This study focused on whether use of ArsenalRTM to control an invasive, non-indigenous tree, Schinus terebinthifolius, would either negatively affect the seed bank in treatment areas of the study site or seeds in litter, 0-5 cm or 5-15 cm layers of the bank. Neither examining the whole site nor the two habitats produced conclusive results, but examining the three layers did. The litter layer appeared to be most sensitive to herbicide treatment with a 47% (p=0.03) reduction in seedling emergence after treatment. Analysis of herbicide effect therefore required studying depth, habitat and study site. The litter layer, seldom considered in seed bank studies, produced 33% of emerging seedlings in this study. It is an extremely important component as it is the first place seeds are deposited before they percolate down into the soil. Damage to this layer will not only affect current seedling emergence, but future content of the seed bank below the surface.