Influence of richness and seeding density on invasion resistance in experimental tallgrass prairie restorations
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Published source details
Nemec K.T., Allen C.R., Helzer C.J. & Wedin D.A. (2013) Influence of richness and seeding density on invasion resistance in experimental tallgrass prairie restorations. Ecological Restoration, 31, 168-185.
Published source details Nemec K.T., Allen C.R., Helzer C.J. & Wedin D.A. (2013) Influence of richness and seeding density on invasion resistance in experimental tallgrass prairie restorations. Ecological Restoration, 31, 168-185.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Increase number of species in seed mix Action Link |
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Sow seeds at a higher density Action Link |
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Increase number of species in seed mix
A replicated, controlled study in 2006–2009 in a former arable field in Nebraska, USA (Nemec et al. 2013) found that increasing the number of species sown did not alter the cover of seeded species or cover of invasive species, but did reduce the cover of unseeded species compared to areas that were sown with a low diversity seed mix. Cover of seeded species did not differ significantly between areas sown with a high diversity seed mix (3–25 cm) and areas sown with a low diversity seed mix (3–33 cm). Cover of invasive plant species also showed no significant difference (0–1.4 cm vs 0–0.5 cm). Cover of unseeded species was lower in areas where a high diversity seed mix was sown (4–34 cm) than in areas where a low diversity seed mix was sown (12–33 cm). In March–April 2006, twelve 55 x 55 m plots were seeded with a high diversity seed mix containing 97 plant species, and twelve plots were seeded with a low diversity mix containing 15 plant species. All plots were burned in March 2008. In July 2008, invasive plants were sprayed with glyphosate herbicide. Vegetation cover was recorded using five 55-m transects in each plot in June 2007–2009. Cover was measured at six points along each transect.
(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
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Sow seeds at a higher density
A replicated, controlled study in 2006–2009 in a former arable field in Nebraska, USA (Nemec et al. 2013) found that sowing seeds at a higher density did not alter the cover of seeded species, unseeded species or invasive plant species compared to areas that were sown at low density. Cover of seeded species did not differ significantly between areas sown at high density (3–34 cm) and areas sown at low density (3–28 cm). Cover of unseeded plant species (3–35 vs 3–32 cm) and invasive plant species (0–1.4 cm vs 0–1.1 cm) also showed no significant difference between areas seeded at high and low densities. In March–April 2006, twelve 55 x 55 m plots were sown with grass and forb seeds at a high density (328 seeds/m2) and twelve plots were sown at a low density (164 seeds/m2). All plots were burned in March 2008. In July 2008, invasive plants were sprayed with glyphosate herbicide. Vegetation cover was recorded using five 55-m transects in each plot in June 2007–2009. Cover was measured at six points along each transect.
(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
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