Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Sow grass seeds Thirteen studies examined the effects of sowing grass seeds on grassland vegetation. Six studies were in North America, five studies were in Europe and one study was in each of Canada and South Africa. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (6 STUDIES) Community composition (2 studies): One of two paired studies (one of which was replicated, randomized and controlled) in Hungary and the UK found that, over time, plant communities in areas where grass seeds were sown and in areas where no seeds were sown became more similar to those of intact grasslands. The other study found that plant communities in sown areas were different from those of ancient grasslands or sites where natural regeneration was allowed. Overall richness/diversity (4 studies): Three of four studies (three of which were replicated and controlled, and one of which was a site comparison) in the UK, Hungary, Iceland and the USA found that sowing grass seeds did not change or reduced overall plant species richness. The other study found that species richness was lower than that found in nearby intact prairies. Native/non-target species richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that sowing grass seeds did not alter the species richness of native plants. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (10 STUDIES) Overall abundance (3 studies): Two of three studies (including two replicated, controlled studies and one site comparison) in the USA, Iceland and Norway found that sowing grass seeds increased vegetation cover. The other study found that in two of three years there was no difference in vegetation cover between areas where grass seeds were sown and those where no seeds were sown. Characteristic plant abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in Hungary found that sowing grass seeds reduced the abundance of grassland species. Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in South Africa found that sowing grass seeds increased the abundance of sown species. Grass abundance (4 studies): Three of four replicated studies (two of which were randomized, controlled studies and the other a site comparison) in the USA and Canada found that sowing grass seeds either reduced native grass cover or did not alter native grass density. The other study found that after two years grass cover was higher in areas where grass seeds were sown than in areas were no seeds were sown, but after seven years there was no longer a difference between areas. Forb abundance (2 studies): One of two replicated studies (one randomized, controlled study and one site comparison) in the USA and Canada found that sowing grass seeds reduced the abundance of native forb species. The other study found no change in the density of native forb species. Tree/shrub abundance (2 studies): Two replicated studies (one randomized, controlled study and one site comparison) in the USA and Canada found that sowing grass seeds reduced the abundance of shrub species. Native/non-target species abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that sowing grass seeds did not alter the cover of native plant species. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3397https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3397Fri, 25 Jun 2021 13:05:51 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Sow grassland forb species One study examined the effects of sowing grassland forb species on grassland vegetation. The study was in Belgium. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Germination/Emergence (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Belgium found that sowing seeds of grassland forb species did not increase the number of seedlings for three forb species. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3398https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3398Fri, 25 Jun 2021 13:53:08 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Plant grassland plants Four studies examined the effects of planting grassland plants on grassland vegetation. One study was in each of the UK, Germany and the USA. One review included studies from the UK and Australia. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (2 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that planting seedlings in addition to sowing seeds increased the number of plant species compared to sowing seeds alone. Grass richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that planting plants increased species richness of grasses in 50% of cases. Forb richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that planting plants increased species richness of forbs in 83% of cases. Native/non-target richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that planting plants in addition to sowing seeds increased the number of native plant species compared to sowing seeds alone. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (2 STUDIES) Individual plant species abundance (1 study): One study in Germany found that transplanted pepper saxifrage plants increased in number and spread to adjacent grassland. Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One review in the UK and Australia found that planting grassland plants had mixed effects on planted species abundance. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Survival (1 study): One study in Germany found that 44% of new seedlings from transplanted pepper saxifrage plants survived over four months. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3399https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3399Fri, 25 Jun 2021 13:56:45 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Sow grassland seeds from a local source Five studies examined the effects of sowing grassland seeds from a local source on grassland vegetation. Two studies were in Germany, two were in the USA and one was in Italy. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (2 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Italy found that sowing grassland seeds from a local source increased plant species richness compared to sowing a commercial seed mix. Characteristic plant richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Germany found that sowing grassland seeds from a local source, along with increasing the number of species in a seed mix, led to an increase in the species richness of target plants. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (3 STUDIES) Overall abundance (2 studies): One of two replicated studies (including one site comparison and one controlled study) in the USA and Germany found that after sowing grassland seeds from a local source vegetation cover increased over time compared to areas sown with non-native seeds, but the density of individual plants declined. The other study found that vegetation cover did not differ to that in areas sown with commercial grass seed. Characteristic plant abundance (2 studies): One replicated, controlled study in Germany found that sowing grassland seeds from a local source, along with increasing the number of species in a seed mix, led to an increase in the cover of target plant species. One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in Germany found that sowing grassland seeds from a local source increased the abundance of one of four characteristic plant species that were sown. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (2 STUDIES) Height (2 studies): Two replicated studies (including one controlled and one site comparison study) in the USA and Italy found that sowing grassland seeds from a local source did not alter vegetation height compared to sowing non-native grass seeds or a commercial seed mix. OTHER (1 STUDY) Survival (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled experiment in the USA found that sowing Sandberg bluegrass seeds from a local source did not change the survival of sown plants compared to sowing non-local varieties. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3400https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3400Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:08:23 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Sow seeds of nurse plants One study examined the effects of sowing seeds of nurse plants on grassland vegetation. The study was in France. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (1 STUDY) Community composition (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in France found that sowing seeds of nurse plants reduced the similarity of the plant community to that of nearby intact steppe compared to areas where no seeds were sown. Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in France found that sowing seeds of nurse plants did not change plant species richness and richness was lower than in nearby intact steppe. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (1 STUDY) Overall abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in France found that sowing seeds of nurse plants did not change vegetation cover compared to areas where no seeds were sown. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3401https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3401Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:13:14 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Sow or plant nurse plants (alongside seeding/planting of grassland species) Four studies examined the effects of sowing or planting nurse plants alongside seeding/planting grassland species on grassland vegetation. Two studies were in Europe, one study was in the USA and one was in Kenya. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (1 STUDY) Community composition (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Slovenia found that sowing a seed mix containing nurse species resulted in a community composition that was less similar to the target community when compared to sowing a seed mix that did not contain nurse species. Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Slovenia found that sowing a seed mix containing nurse species did not increase species richness compared to sowing a seed mix that did not contain nurse species. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (1 STUDY) Grass abundance (1 study): One replicated, paired, controlled study in the USA found that sowing seeds of nurse plants alongside that of grassland species did not change grass abundance. Forb abundance (1 study): One replicated, paired, controlled study in the USA found that sowing seeds of nurse plants alongside that of grassland species did not change forb abundance. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (2 STUDIES) Germination/Emergence (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Spain found that sowing seeds under nurse plants increased seed germination. Survival (2 studies): One of two replicated, controlled studies (one of which was randomized and paired) in Kenya and Spain found that sowing seeds or planting under nurse plants increased survival of planted plants. The other study found that sowing seeds under nurse plants initially increased seedling survival, but there was no difference in survival after two to three years. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3402https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3402Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:22:50 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Sow seeds of tree species in savanna One study examined the effects of sowing seeds of tree species in savanna on grassland vegetation. The study was in Brazil. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Germination/Emergence (1 study): One replicated study in Brazil found that sowing tree seeds in savanna resulted in germination of 52% of the tree seeds. Survival (1 study): One replicated study in Brazil found that after sowing tree seeds in savanna, 35% of the seeds produced seedlings that survived for more than two years. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3403https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3403Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:32:10 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Sow seeds of parasitic species (e.g. yellow rattle) Six studies examined the effects of sowing seeds of parasitic species on grassland vegetation. Four studies were in the UK, one study was in Switzerland and one was in Belgium. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (6 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (6 studies): Five of six studies (including five controlled studies and one review) in the UK, Switzerland and Belgium found that sowing seeds of the parasitic plants yellow rattle, European yellow rattle or marsh lousewort increased plant species richness and/or diversity. The other study found that sowing yellow rattle seeds did not alter plant species richness. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (3 STUDIES) Overall abundance (1 study): One review in the UK found that sowing seeds of the parasitic plant yellow rattle led to a decrease in total plant biomass in three of four studies. Characteristic plant abundance (1 study): One controlled study in Belgium found that sowing seeds of the parasitic plant marsh lousewort increased the abundance of six target plant species. Grass abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Switzerland found that sowing seeds of the parasitic plant European yellow rattle led to a decrease in grass cover. Forb abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Switzerland found that sowing seeds of the parasitic plant European yellow rattle did not alter the cover of forbs. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3404https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3404Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:36:07 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Sow seeds at a higher density Six studies examined the effects of sowing seeds at a higher density on grassland vegetation. Four studies were in the USA, and one study was in each of the UK and Canada. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (2 STUDIES) Community composition (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the UK found that sowing grass seeds at a higher density did not increase the similarity of the vegetation community to that of the target community. Forb richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the USA found that sowing seeds at a higher density increased forb species richness. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (4 STUDIES) Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that sowing seeds at a higher density did not alter the cover of sown plant species. Grass abundance (3 studies): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the USA found that sowing seeds at a higher density increased grass cover. Forb abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the USA found that sowing seeds at a higher density increased forb cover. Tree/shrub abundance (1 study): One site comparison study in the USA found that sowing grass seeds at a higher density reduced the cover of native grassland shrubs. Individual plant species abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Canada found that sowing seeds at a higher density increased the cover of thickspike wheatgrass. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Germination/Emergence (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the USA found that sowing seeds at a higher density increased the number of purple needlegrass seedlings. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3405https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3405Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:49:43 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Increase number of species in seed mix Five studies examined the effects of increasing the number of species in a seed mix on grassland vegetation. Four studies were in the USA and one was in Germany. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (4 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, site comparison study in the USA found that increasing the number of species in a seed mix did not change plant species richness. Characteristic plant richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Germany found that increasing the number of species in a seed mix, along with sowing seeds from a local source, increased the species richness of target plants. Sown/planted species richness/diversity (2 studies): Two replicated, controlled studies in the USA (one of which was randomized) found that increasing the number species in a seed mix increased the species richness of sown plants. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (3 STUDIES) Characteristic plant abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Germany found that increasing the number of species in a seed mix, along with sowing seeds from a local source, increased the cover of target plant species. Sown/planted species abundance (2 studies): One of two replicated, controlled studies (one of which was randomized) in the USA found that increasing the number of species in a seed mix increased the cover of sown plant species. The other study found that there was no change in the cover of sown species. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3406https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3406Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:56:06 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Sow seeds at start of growing season Three studies examined the effects of sowing seeds at the start of the growing season on grassland vegetation. Two studies were in the USA and one was in the UK. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (2 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that sowing seeds in spring increased plant diversity compared to sowing in autumn. Sown/planted richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that sowing seeds in spring increased the number of sown species compared to sowing in autumn. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (1 STUDY) Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that sowing seeds in spring increased the cover of sown grass and forb species compared to sowing in autumn. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Germination/Emergence (1 study): One replicated, paired, controlled study in the USA found that sowing seeds in spring led to similar emergence of forb seedlings compared to sowing in winter. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3407https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3407Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:03:30 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Sow seeds in part of site Three studies examined the effects of sowing seeds in part of a site on grassland vegetation. Two studies were in the USA and one was in the Czech Republic. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (2 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated study in the USA found that sowing seeds in part of a site resulted in an increase in plant species richness over time. Sown/planted species richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the Czech Republic found that sowing seeds in part of a site did not alter species richness for sown grass and herb species. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (2 STUDY) Sown/planted species abundance (2 studies): One study in the USA found that after sowing seeds in part of a site, new patches of two of three sown plant species were recorded in unsown areas. One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the Czech Republic found that sowing seeds in part of a site did not alter the cover of sown grass and herb species.  VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3408https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3408Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:14:50 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Sow seeds in prepared gaps within vegetation One study examined the effects of sowing seeds in prepared gaps within vegetation on grasslands. The study was in Hungary. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (1 STUDY) Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated study in Hungary found that sowing seeds in large gaps within vegetation led to a greater cover of sown target plant species than sowing in smaller gaps.  VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3409https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3409Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:17:23 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Drill seed rather than seeding by hand Five studies examined the effects of drill seeding rather than sowing by hand on grassland vegetation. The studies were in the USA. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (3 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (3 studies): Two of three replicated, controlled studies (two of which were paired) in the USA found that sowing seeds with a seed drill did not alter plant species richness. The other study found mixed effects. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (4 STUDIES) Sown/planted species abundance (3 studies): One of three replicated, controlled studies (two of which were randomized and one paired) in the USA found that sowing seeds with a seed drill increased the density of two sown grass species compared to sowing by hand. The two other studies found that in most cases sowing seeds with a seed drill led to no change or a reduction in the abundance of sown plants compared to hydroseeding or sowing by hand. Grass abundance (1 study): One replicated, paired, controlled study in the USA found that sowing grassland seeds with a seed drill increased the abundance of warm-season grass species compared to sowing by hand. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3410https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3410Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:23:50 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use slot/strip seeding Two studies examined the effects of using slot/strip seeding on grassland vegetation. Both studies were in the UK. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (1 STUDY) Grass richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that strip seeding increased grass species richness. Forb richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that strip seeding increased forb species richness. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (1 STUDY) Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One review in the UK found that in the majority of cases strip seeding resulted in failed introductions of sown species. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3411https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3411Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:29:28 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Spray slurry of seed, mulch and water (‘hydroseeding’) Four studies examined the effects of spraying a slurry of seed, mulch and water (‘hydroseeding’) on grassland vegetation. Two studies were in Spain, one study was in the USA and one was in Italy. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (2 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (2 studies): One of two replicated, controlled studies (one of which was randomized and paired) in Spain and Italy found that hydroseeding with non-native seeds did not alter plant diversity in most cases. The other study found that hydroseeding increased plant species richness in one of two cases. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (3 STUDIES) Overall abundance (2 studies): One of two controlled studies (one of which was replicated, randomized and paired) in Spain found that hydroseeding with non-native seeds increased overall plant cover in most cases. The other study found that hydroseeding did not alter vegetation cover. Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the USA found that hydroseeding increased the abundance of half of the sown plant species compared to drill seeding. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (1 STUDY) Height (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Italy found that hydroseeding led to an increase in the height of herb species. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3412https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3412Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:42:50 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Disturb soil before seeding/planting Seven studies examined the effects of disturbing soil before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. Five studies were in Europe and one study was in each of the USA and China. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (3 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (2 studies): One of two replicated, controlled studies in the UK and Germany found that disturbing soil before sowing seeds increased plant and seedling species richness. The other study found no change in plant species richness or diversity. Grass richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that rotovating soil before sowing seeds increased grass species richness in most cases compared to harrowing before sowing. Forb richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that rotovating soil before sowing seeds increased forb species richness in most cases compared to harrowing before sowing. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (2 STUDIES) Overall abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the UK found that disturbing soil before sowing seeds did not alter total plant biomass. Forb abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the USA found that disturbing soil before sowing forb seeds increased the cover of forb species. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (5 STUDIES) Germination/Emergence (5 studies): Four of five replicated, controlled studies (three of which were randomized and paired) in the USA, Germany, China and Spain found that disturbing soil before sowing seeds increased plant emergence in most cases compared to sowing alone. The other study found no change in seed germination. Survival (2 studies): One of two replicated, controlled studies (one of which was randomized and paired) in China and Spain found that disturbing soil before sowing seeds increased the survival of seedlings. The other study found that ploughing to disturb soil followed by planting did not alter the survival of planted species. Growth (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the USA found that disturbing soil before planting forb seedlings had no effect on seedling growth. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3413https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3413Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:51:17 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Remove leaf litter before seeding/planting Three studies examined the effects of removing leaf litter before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. One study was in each of Germany, Belgium and Hungary. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (2 STUDIES) Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in Hungary found that removing leaf litter before sowing seeds did not increase the cover of either of two sown grass species. Individual plant species abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Germany found that removing leaf litter before planting did not alter the biomass of ragged robin and marsh birdsfoot trefoil transplants in most cases. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (3 STUDIES) Germination/Emergence (3 studies): Two of three replicated, controlled studies (one of which was also randomized and paired) in Germany, Belgium and Hungary found that removing leaf litter, and in one study also removing vegetation, before sowing seeds had mixed effects on the number of seedlings of sown plant species. The other study found no change in the number of seedlings of either of two grass species. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3414https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3414Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:00:36 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Remove topsoil or turf before seeding/planting Six studies examined the effects of removing topsoil or turf before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. Three studies were in the UK, two studies were in the USA and one was in France. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (3 STUDIES) Community composition (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in France found that removing topsoil before sowing seeds increased plant community similarity to that of intact steppe. Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in France found that removing topsoil before sowing seeds increased plant species richness. Sown/planted species richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the UK found that removing topsoil before sowing seeds increased the species richness of sown plants. Grass richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that removing turf before sowing seeds increased grass species richness in most cases compared to disturbing the soil before sowing. Forb richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that removing turf before sowing seeds increased forb species richness in most cases compared to disturbing the soil before sowing. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (2 STUDIES) Overall abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in France found that removing topsoil before sowing seeds did not alter overall vegetation cover. Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the UK found that removing topsoil before planting seedlings led to higher cover of planted species. Individual species abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the UK found that removing topsoil before planting seedlings led to lower cover of common knapweed. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (2 STUDIES) Survival (2 studies): Two replicated, controlled studies (one paired and one randomized) in the USA found that removing topsoil before planting California oatgrass or sowing and planting purple needlegrass increased the survival of seedlings and plants. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3415https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3415Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:09:07 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Remove vegetation before seeding/planting Two studies examined the effects of removing vegetation before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. One study was in each of the UK and Belgium. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (2 STUDIES) Germination/Emergence (2 studies): One of two replicated, controlled studies in the UK and Belgium found that removing vegetation before sowing seeds increased the germination rate of sown species. The other study found that removing vegetation, along with removing leaf litter, before sowing seeds increased the number of seedlings for one of three species. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3416https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3416Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:14:10 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Burn vegetation before seeding/planting We found no studies that evaluated the effects of burning vegetation before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3417https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3417Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:16:14 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Apply herbicide before seeding/planting Four studies examined the effects of applying herbicide before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. Two studies were in the USA and one study was in each of Germany and the UK. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (1 STUDY) Sown/planted species richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the UK found that applying herbicide before sowing seeds increased sown species richness. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (2 STUDIES) Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that spraying with herbicide before sowing seeds increased the cover of sown grass species. Forb abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that spraying with herbicide before sowing grass seeds did not alter or reduced the density of native forb species. Tree/shrub abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that spraying with herbicide before sowing grass seeds led to an increase in the density of shrubs. Individual plant species abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that spraying with herbicide before sowing grass seeds did not alter the density of crested wheatgrass. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Germination/Emergence (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in Germany found that spraying with herbicide before sowing seeds increased seedling emergence for five of eight wildflower species. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3418https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3418Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:22:52 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Mow before or after seeding/planting Ten studies examined the effects of mowing before or after seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. Nine studies were in Europe and one was in China. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (5 STUDIES) Community composition (1 study): One replicated, site comparison study in Hungary found that annual mowing after sowing seeds increased plant community similarity to that of natural grassland. Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the UK found that cutting vegetation yearly after sowing seeds increased plant species richness compared to grazing with livestock. Characteristic plant richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Germany found that cutting vegetation three times/year after sowing seeds increased the richness of characteristic grassland species compared to cutting once/year. Sown/planted species richness/diversity (2 studies): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that mowing after sowing seeds increased the richness of sown species. One replicated study in the UK found that cutting sown plots each year and removing cut vegetation increased sown grass and forb species richness compared to cutting and not removing cut vegetation. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (4 STUDIES) Sown/planted species abundance (3 studies): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that mowing after sowing seeds increased the abundance of sown forb species. One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in Germany found that mowing more frequently after sowing seeds increased the abundance of five of seven sown forb species. One replicated study in the UK found that cutting sown plots each year and removing cut vegetation reduced the cover of sown grass and forb species compared to cutting and not removing cut vegetation. Individual plant species abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Germany found that mowing after planting increased the biomass of transplanted ragged robin and birdsfoot trefoil plants at 2–3 of seven sites. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (4 STUDIES) Germination/Emergence (3 studies): One of three replicated, controlled studies (including two randomized and one paired study) in the UK, Germany and China found that mowing after sowing seeds increased the germination of four grassland plant species. One study found that mowing after sowing seeds increased the number of ragged robin and birdsfoot trefoil seedlings at 1–2 of seven sites. One study found that cutting grass after sowing seeds did not alter the emergence rate or density of seedlings. Survival (2 studies): One of two replicated, randomized, paired, controlled studies in Germany and China found that cutting grass after sowing seeds did not alter seedling survival. The other study found that cutting grass after sowing seeds did not alter seedling survival. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3419https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3419Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:29:54 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Add topsoil before seeding/planting One study examined the effects of adding topsoil before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. The study was in the USA. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (1 STUDY) Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that adding topsoil before sowing seeds increased plant species richness. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (1 STUDY) Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that adding topsoil before sowing seeds increased the biomass of sown species in most cases. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3420https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3420Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:37:29 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Add woody debris to protect seeds/plants One study examined the effects of adding woody debris to protect seeds/plants on grassland vegetation. The study was in Kenya. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Survival (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in Kenya found that sowing buffel grass seeds beside woody debris did not affect seedling survival. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3421https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3421Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:40:28 +0100
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.

Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust
For a full list of, and information about, our champions:
All Evidence Champions
About our champions, why and how to become one:
Become an Evidence Champion

This website uses Cookies

We use limited Cookies to run the site and to analyse our traffic (none for site vendors). By using this site, you will be providing your consent to our use of Cookies.

Accept & continue