Pre-emergence processes limit seedling recruitment in two direct seeded Acacia spp.

•Transitioning from seed to germination was the greatest recruitment bottleneck.•Higher soil moisture increased germination but also seed mortality.•The use of novel germination caches allowed quantification of below-ground processes.•Quantifying pre and post-emergence transitions is key to understanding recruitment failure.•Management targeting key recruitment bottlenecks will benefit revegetation outcomes.