[6] Additionally, after disturbances, such as fire have occurred, the plant species will release the retained seeds into the ground to germinate at certain seasonal conditions that signal the appropriate time for seedling establishment.
This strategic placement ensures that in the event of severe disturbances such as wildfires which may result in the death of some or all adult plants, the seeds are well-positioned for dispersal, thereby preserving the genetic diversity of the species.
[9] This mechanism serves as a critical survival strategy, enabling the species to endure and regenerate following significant environmental challenges and ensure population restoration.
[10][11][5]These plant species can store seeds in closed fruits or cones for days to decades until environmental changes are triggered during events such as wildfires and proper growing conditions.
[6] Research studies, aimed at determining the existence and characteristics of canopy seed banks in plants typically employ a variety of methods, including:[9][8][4] Several authors have highlighted the significance of canopy seed bank and their critical roles in ecosystems dynamics, which include preserving crop diversity, protecting the environment from the impacts of climate change, safeguarding against natural and man-made disasters, shielding plants from infectious and destructive diseases, providing seeds for research purposes and ensuring low predation and competition for their species.