Study

Restoring plant cover on high-elevation gravel areas, Sequoia National Park, California

  • Published source details Ratliff R.D. & Westfall S.E. (1992) Restoring plant cover on high-elevation gravel areas, Sequoia National Park, California. Biological Conservation, 60, 189-195.

Summary

In high altitude areas, restoration of vegetation (degraded for example by livestock grazing or human trampling) by natural succession is extremely slow. An experiment was undertaken to assess whether shorthair sedge Carex exserta sod plugs could be successfully transplanted to assist in revegetation on high-elevation gravel areas of the Sierra Nevada of California, southwest USA.

The study was conducted at the Siberian Outpost in Sequoia National Park (118°17' W, 36°29'N) at 3293 m elevation.

In September 1981 and 1982, using a randomized block design (40 blocks, repeated each year) C.exserta sod plugs (1.9 cm or 5.1 cm diameter, 10 cm deep) were transplanted with and without fertilizer (a randomly chosen 1 m² quadrat in each pair fertilized with a mix of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, elemental sulphur and dolomite) and/or papier-mâché pots. In September 1982, 1983 and 1985 the plugs were categorized as alive or dead. The effect of fertilizer on existing plants was recorded
 
Plug extraction holes were filled with nearby soil. A sample of 10 from each size plug extracted in 1981 was marked. Percentage of hole area subsequently covered by foliage was recorded.

Transplant success: Large-diameter plugs (unpotted and unfertilized) produced best results, with 21 of 40 (52.5%) surviving after four years. Other large-diameter plug treatments faired less well: no pot + fertiliser 20%; potted/no fertiliser 30%; potted + fertiliser 2.5%. Of the small diameter plugs planted in 1981, after 4 years, other than 2.5% survival in the potted/unfertilized treatment, all had died.

Treatment effects on existing vegetation were nil by September 1985, although initially some detrimental effects of fertilizer application for some species (reduced cover) were recorded. Water availability appeared to be the main factor limiting existing plant cover at the study site.
 
Hole recovery: By 1983, foliage cover of holes from the 1981 plugs averaged 97.5% (small holes) and 31% (large holes). By 1985, cover of the large holes was 55% and they were difficult to distinguish from the surrounding undisturbed sward.
 

Note: If using or referring to this published study, please read and quote the original paper, this can be viewed at: http://www.sciencedirect.com

 

Output references
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