Comparing direct abiotic ammelioration and facilitation as tools for restoration of semiarid grasslands
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Published source details
Pueyo Y., Alados C.L., Garcia-Avila B., Kefi S., Maestro M. & Rietkerk M. (2009) Comparing direct abiotic ammelioration and facilitation as tools for restoration of semiarid grasslands. Restoration Ecology, 17, 908-916.
Published source details Pueyo Y., Alados C.L., Garcia-Avila B., Kefi S., Maestro M. & Rietkerk M. (2009) Comparing direct abiotic ammelioration and facilitation as tools for restoration of semiarid grasslands. Restoration Ecology, 17, 908-916.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Sow or plant nurse plants (alongside seeding/planting of grassland species) Action Link |
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Disturb soil before seeding/planting Action Link |
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Sow or plant nurse plants (alongside seeding/planting of grassland species)
A replicated, controlled study in 2006–2007 in arid steppe grassland in North-Eastern Spain (Pueyo et al. 2009) found that sowing seeds or planting under nurse plants increased survival of planted plants and increased seed germination. Survival of Salosa vermiculata and Lygeum spartum was higher when plants were planted under nurse plants (12–73%) than when they were not planted under nurse plants (0–93%). Seed germination of the two species was also higher (nurse plant: 0–21%; no nurse plant: 0–2%). In the planting experiment, in October 2006, twenty-five Salosa vermiculata and Lygeum spartum seedlings were planted four metres apart under mature Suaeda vera plants, while another twenty-five plants were planted without nurse plants. Seeding was carried out nearby to the seedling experiment (replication unclear). Survival of planted seedlings was recorded in February and September 2007. Seed germination was recorded in March, June and September 2007.
(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
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Disturb soil before seeding/planting
A replicated, controlled study in 2006–2007 in arid steppe grassland in northeastern Spain (Pueyo et al. 2009) found that disturbing soil by ploughing and sowing seeds or planting did not alter survival of planted plants or seed germination compared to sowing alone. Survival of Mediterranean saltwort Salsola vermiculata and esparto grass Lygeum spartum plants did not differ significantly between areas that were ploughed (22–70%) and areas that were not ploughed (0–73%). Seed germination of the two species also did not differ significantly (ploughed and seeded: 0%; seeded, not ploughed: 0–2%). In the planting experiment, in October 2006, the soil was ploughed to a depth of 30–40 cm and twenty-five Mediterranean saltwort and esparto grass seedlings were planted four metres apart, while another twenty-five plants were planted in an area that was not ploughed. Seeding was carried out nearby to the planting experiment. Survival of planted seedlings was recorded in February and September 2007. Seed germination was recorded in March, June and September 2007.
(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
