Restoration of agricultural fields to diverse wet prairie plant communities in the Willamette Valley, Oregon

Published source details Wold E.N., Jancaitis J.E., Taylor T.H. & Steeck D.M. (2011) Restoration of agricultural fields to diverse wet prairie plant communities in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Northwest Science, 85, 269-287.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Restore/create freshwater marshes or swamps (multiple actions) Action Link

Restore/create freshwater marshes or swamps (multiple actions)

A replicated study in 2004–2010 of four ephemeral marsh restoration sites within farmland in Oregon, USA (Wold et al. 2011) reported that following multiple interventions, vegetation cover developed. Approximately three and a half years after intervention began, there were 55–99 plant species/marsh (native: 42–67; non-native: 13–33) and total vegetation cover was 128–177% (native: 91–174%; non-native: 4–37%). Two marshes were also monitored after five and a half years. There were now 86–112 plant species/marsh (native: 58–74; non-native: 28–38). Total vegetation cover had increased in one of two marshes (to 242%). Native cover increased in both (to 103–240%) and exotic cover had decreased in both (to 2–12%). These results are not based on assessments of statistical significance. Methods: Four areas (3–16 ha) of agricultural land were managed to restore ephemeral marshland. Interventions included mowing, burning, applying herbicide (general or grass-specific), rewetting by removing drainage ditches, removing weeds by hand, seeding herbs and directly planting herbs. In the second and fifth summer after intervention began, vegetation was surveyed at ≥400 points/marsh (≥200 points in each of 2–4 plots/marsh).

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)