Seed bank life

Perhaps more meaningful than the average lifetime, n, of seeds in the seed-bank is their half-life, ni. If there are N0 seeds in the bank initially, after n years N0( 1 — 5)n seeds remain. The half-life, n = is thus calculated from N0(l — 5)" = N0, so that 6 and n i are related by... 

Rationale Seed viability is a key factor to consider in assessing the likelihood of survival of non-cultivated plants. Natural seed banks are often the main source of weeds in cultivated fields, whether they are previous-crop volunteers or non-crop weedy relatives. Whether seedlings can establish usually is a primary limiting factor in continuing the life cycle. 

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