Seed banks can be either natural or anthropogenic in origin, and both are related to maintaining diversity of plant species in the face of human activity on the landscape. Natural seed banks, or soil seed banks, refer to the dormant seeds of various plant species that are present in the soil of a particular location. Anthropogenic seed banks, also called genebanks, are collections of dormant seeds, either of crops or natural plant species, that are being conserved ex situ as a means of preventing these species from becoming extinct.

Soil seed banks are greatly impacted by agricultural activity. Prior to disturbance, the dormant seeds present in the soil of a given location will reflect the species composition of the surrounding vegetation. Initial disturbance of this vegetation ...