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The potential and regeneration capacity of soil seed banks in three eastern Ethiopian rangeland ecosystems (Asbuli grassland or arid grassland, Aydora open savanna or arid bush/grassland and Hurso closed savanna or arid bush land) were determined over a degradation gradient. Soil samples from 0.09m² blocks (100mm deep) were spread evenly in plastic containers in the greenhouse and studied over a 1-year period. The aboveground species composition was also compared. Sampling was from rangelands in excellent, good, moderate and poor conditions for each ecosystem. A total of 122 plant species were identified in the soil seed banks, with 32% in the Asbuli grassland, 35% in the Aydora open savanna and 33% in the Hurso closed savanna. Seedlings emerging from soil samples were in the order of decreasing number, grasses, forbs, woody plants, weeds and legumes. Seedling density decreased (P
