Study

Persistent asymmetrical priority effects in a California grassland restoration experiment

  • Published source details Werner C.M., Vaughn K.J., Stuble K.L., Wolf K. & Young T.P. (2016) Persistent asymmetrical priority effects in a California grassland restoration experiment. Ecological Applications, 26, 1624-1632.

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, randomized, controlled study in 2008–2015 in an agricultural field in California, USA (Werner et al. 2016) found that sowing grass and forb seeds increased cover of native forbs, decreased cover of non-native plants, and had no effect on grass cover. After eight years, cover of native forb species was higher in areas where seeds were sown (33%) than in areas where no seeds were sown (17%). However, grass cover did not differ significantly between areas where seeds were sown (9%) and areas where no seeds were sown (2%). Cover of non-native plants was lower in areas where seeds were sown (56%) than areas where no seeds were sown (81%). In 2008, a mix of native grass and forb seeds common to Californian grasslands was sown in twenty-five 1.5 x 1.5 m plots at a rate of 800 seeds/m2 and 25 plots were not sown with seeds. Two weeks before sowing all plots were tilled. In November–June of 2008–2010, all plots were weeded. In May 2015, quadrats measuring 1 x 1 m were placed in the centre of each plot and vegetation cover was visually estimated.

    (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