Land use has little influence on the soil seed bank in a central African moist forest

Abstract Regeneration of tropical forest occurs naturally and mainly through early secondary succession by soil seed banks. Here, we analyzed bank variation in density diversity along a degradation gradient. We also explored the relationship (similarity composition) between seedling banks overstory vegetation. The investigated forests were located at Dja Fauna Reserve its surroundings, south‐eastern Cameroon. sampled 33 one‐ha plots scattered protected area, logging concession community forests. Within each plot, inventoried litter four successive layers 5 cm depth interval, standing Seed significantly varied with sampling but not land use types. A total 181 morphospecies identified. Trees species accounted for 46% seeds pioneer dispersed animals dominating bank. Species composition strongly depth; was more similar to than bank, sapling, stands. highlighted presence dense diverse type. showed differentiation terms composition, thus revealing their complementarity dynamics natural regeneration. dominance pioneers weak are universal logically follow from after disturbance. French is available online material.