Seed Viability, Spikelet Dispersal, Seed Banks and Seed Storage Requirements for Native and Invasive Cordgrasses (Genus Spartina) in Southwest Iberian Peninsula

Abstract Seed banks play an important role in determining the spatial and temporal distribution of halophytes salt marshes. We tested ability native Spartina maritima invasive S. densiflora spikelets to disperse by flotation on water with different salinity concentrations, longevity spikelet viability relative environmental conditions including dry or wet storage at low moderate temperatures, aqueous concentrations from fresh sea water. quantified pre-dispersal seed production pre- post-dispersal focal spp. presence along intertidal gradients within marshes Gulf Cádiz (Southwest Iberian Peninsula). spikelets, especially middle high elevation marshes, showed greater than remain afloat, which suggests this species could be dispersed over longer distances. Wet-stored seeds were able maintain for months, while under rapidly lost viability. This decline was most significant , stored temperatures. Storage cold optimized Native did not establish transient persistent banks, established mainly higher marsh elevations. Our results dynamics dispersal seedling recruitment provide fundamental knowledge that can applied conservation management densiflor a, ecological restoration tidal