Enriched topographic microsites for improved native grass and forb establishment in reclamation

Low seed germination and seedling establishment are the greatest challenges for revegetation success. Topographic microsites are known to enhance seed germination and seedling establishment due to their unique soil properties and provision of shelter fromelements and herbivores; soil amendments can supply organicmatter and nutrients for plant establishment and growth when limited. We investigated the effect of three topographic microsites and six soil amendments and their additive effects on three disturbed grasslands in central and southern Alberta, Canada. Treatmentswere topographicmicrosites ofmounds, pits, and flats,with andwithout amendments (erosion control blanket, hay, straw, manure, hydrogel, control) andwere seededwith four native grasses and three native forb species. Seedling emergence and survival and soil temperature and water content were assessed over two seasons and plant cover over three seasons. The effect of microsites and amendmentswas not additive. The addition of erosion control blanket, hay, and strawto flat siteswas just as productive as on topographic microsites. These amendments increased grass and forb emergence and buffered soil temperature. Mounds increased first year forb emergence and reduced over winter survival rates for grasses and forbs. Pits were not beneficial for revegetation. The effect of topographic microsites and amendments was influenced by site conditions.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Naeth, M. Anne, Cohen Fernández, Anayansi C., Mollard, Federico Pedro Otto, Yao, Linjun, Wilkinson, Sarah R., Jiao, Zhichao
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:	eng
Subjects:	AMENDMENT, EMERGENCE, GRASSLAND, MULCH, RESTORATION, REVEGETATION,
Online Access:	http://ceiba.agro.uba.ar/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=46267 http://ceiba.agro.uba.ar/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber= http://ceiba.agro.uba.ar/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber= http://ceiba.agro.uba.ar/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber= http://ceiba.agro.uba.ar/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=
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