Enriched Topographic Micro Sites for Improved Native Grass And Forb Establishment In Reclamation

M. ANNE NAETH; ANAYANSI COHEN-FERNÁNDEZ; MOLLARD FPO; YAO, LINJUN; WILKINSON, SARAH; JIAO, ZHICHAO

Rangeland Ecology and Management (ex JRM)

SOC RANGE MANAGEMENT

Lugar: Denver; Año: 2018 vol. 71 p. 12 - 18

1550-7424

Low seed germination and seedling establishment are the greatest challenges for revegetation success. Topographic micro sites are known to enhance seed germination and seedling establishment due to their unique soil properties and provision of shelter from elements and herbivores; soil amendments can supply organic matter and nutrients for plant establishment and growth when limited. This study investigated the effect of three topographic micro sites and six soil amendments and their additive effects on three disturbed grasslands in central and southern Alberta, Canada. Treatments were topographic micro sites of mounds, pits and flats, with and without amendments (erosion control blanket, hay, straw, manure, hydrogel, control) and were seeded with four native grass 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 micro sites and amendments was not additive. The addition of erosion control blanket, hay and straw to flat sites was just as productive as on topographic micro sites. 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 micro sites and amendments was influenced by site conditions.