The effect of light availability and spatio-temporal heterogeneity on the soil seed bank diversity in temperate forests

Light is a key driver of understory plant diversity, also important for seed germination, yet its effect on forests soil seed bank diversity remains underexplored. This study assessed the impact of both light availability and spatio-temporal heterogeneity on soil seed bank diversity. We hypothesized that increased light availability and heterogeneity at plot and landscape scale enhance soil seed bank species richness, particularly when accounting for historical canopy cover changes. Additionally, we expected that higher light availability increased similarity between the soil seed bank and understory vegetation. To test this, we established six subplots (25 m² each) within each of 30 plots (1 ha), in the Southern Black Forest, Germany. Within each subplot, soil cores (10 cm diameter, 0–15 cm depth) were collected and subsequently pooled to produce one composite sample per plot (n = 30). Soil seed bank species were identified through a germination experiment. Light availability and under..., , # The effect of light availability and spatio-temporal heterogeneity on seed bank diversity in temperate forests

This submission includes two datasets associated with the manuscript:

1. **Community matrix** – seed_and_composition.csv -Species abundance data for seed bank and understory vegetation.
2. **Diversity and environmental data** – seed_and_div_complete.csv - Seed bank diversity, environmental variables, and Ellenberg indicator values.

#### (1) Community Matrix: Seed Bank and Understory

**File:** `seed_and_composition.csv`\
**Dimensions:** 56 rows × 95 columns

Rows:

* Each row represents a vegetation survey at one of 28 forest plots.
* Plot names ending in `_s` refer to **seed bank** data; names without `_s` refer to **understory vegetation**.
* Two plots were excluded due to insufficient germination (see manuscript).

Columns:

* Each column represents a plant species (in Latin binomial form, lowercase, with spaces).
* Values indicate species abundance:
* Seed bank: numb...,