风蚀和沙埋赋予沙丘生态系统独特的自然物理和生物过程。沙丘生态系统种子库研究对于沙区植物多样性保护和生态恢复至关重要。但是人们对沙丘生态系统种子库的时空格局、形成机制和生态功能的认识还很肤浅。近些年,沙丘生态系统种子库开始受到关注。该文对20年来沙丘生态系统种子库研究进行了回顾总结,论述了沙丘生态系统种子库研究现状,剖析了沙丘生态系统种子库现有结论,阐述了沙丘生态系统种子库研究趋势与面临的挑战。沙丘生态系统种子库研究已获得以下认识:1)沙丘生态系统类型、部位和深度决定种子库大小与组成;2)沙丘生态系统种子库季节、年际变化受风沙活动和降水调控;3)沙丘生态系统种子库受各种干扰的综合影响;4)生境对沙丘生态系统种子库具有重要影响;5)沙丘生态系统种子库结构和组成与植物繁殖对策密切关联;6)种子库对沙丘生态系统植被恢复贡献率因沙丘类型而异。沙丘生态系统种子库研究应强化如下方面:1)种子库区域分异规律研究;2)种子库与植物生活史阶段的联系的研究;3)多种干扰方式综合影响下的种子库研究;4)种子库对沙丘生态系统植被恢复贡献的研究;5)沙丘生态系统自然物理过程与种子库耦联关系的研究。
Sand dunes, characterized by wind erosion and sand burial, are a unique habitat with particular physical and bio- logical processes. The study of sand dune seed banks is vital to biodiversity conservation and vegetation restora- tion. However, spatial-temporal patterns, mechanism of formation and ecological function of seed banks in the dune habitat are not fully understood. In recent years, much attention has been paid to these seed banks. Seed bank size and composition are dependent on dune type, position and soil depth. Seasonal and annual patterns of the seed bank are regulated by wind and the rainy season. The seed bank is shaped by diverse disturbances and habitat types. The structure and composition of the seed bank are highly related to plant reproductive strategies of colo- nizers. Contribution of the seed bank to vegetation restoration varies with dune type. Further studies are needed on 1) regional differences in seed banks, 2) relationship to stages of plant life history, 3) consequences of various disturbances, 4) contribution to vegetation restoration and 5) linkages to sand burial and erosion.