Study

Assessing grassland restoration success: relative roles of seed additions and native ungulate activities

  • Published source details Martin L.M. & Wilsey B.J. (2006) Assessing grassland restoration success: relative roles of seed additions and native ungulate activities. Journal of Applied Ecology, 43, 1098-1109.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Sow native grass and forbs

Action Link
Grassland Conservation
  1. Sow native grass and forbs

    A replicated, paired, controlled study in 2003–2004 in a former arable field prairie restoration site in Iowa, USA (Martin & Wilsey 2006) found that sowing with grass and forb seeds increased the number of seedlings and species richness of seedlings. There were more seedlings in areas where seeds were sown (104–156 seedlings/m2) than in areas where no seeds were sown (85–139 seedlings/m2). The same pattern was seen for seedling species richness (seeded: 3.0–5.8 species/0.1 m2; unseeded: 2.5–2.8 species/0.1 m2). In June 2003 and April 2004, forty-eight 1-m2 plots were sown with seeds at a rate of 19,700 seeds/m2 and 24 plots were not sown with seed. Seedling numbers and species richness were estimated once a month during the growing season using a 50 x 20 cm quadrat. Herbivore density in the restoration site was approximately 0.1 bison/ha and 0.05 elk/ha. Prescribed burning was carried out at the site every two years and the site was mowed to control weeds. The plots used in the study were not mowed or burned in 2003 or 2004.

    (Summarised by: Philip Martin)

Output references
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