Study

Mounding as a technique for restoration of prairie on a capped landfill in the Puget Sound lowlands

  • Published source details Ewing K. (2002) Mounding as a technique for restoration of prairie on a capped landfill in the Puget Sound lowlands. Restoration Ecology, 10, 289-296.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Add mulch before or after seeding/planting

Action Link
Grassland Conservation

Add fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting

Action Link
Grassland Conservation
  1. Add mulch before or after seeding/planting

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1995–1997 at a former landfill site in Seattle, USA (Ewing 2002) found that adding mulch after planting native prairie plants did not alter the growth of any of seven plant species. During two years after planting, there was no significant difference in the growth of Idaho fescue Festuca idahoensis, prairie lupine Lupinus lepidus, camas Camassia quamash, cinquefoil Potentilla gracilis, white-top aster Aster curtus, Oregon sunshine Eriophyllum lanatum, or long stoloned sedge Carex inops between fertilized and unfertilized plots (see original paper for data). In May 1995, twelve circular 4-m2 plots at the landfill site were each planted with four individuals of seven native prairie species. Six plots were covered with 10 cm of mulch (a locally produced composted yard waste), and six plots were left untreated. The landfill site had been decommissioned in 1966 and sown with grass in 1971. All surviving plants were measured in June and September 1995, and in July 1996 and 1997. Measurements included height, diameter, area, spread, and/or branch and stem length depending on the plant species.

    (Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)

  2. Add fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 1995–1997 at a former landfill site in Seattle, USA (Ewing 2002) found that adding fertilizer to soil after planting native prairie plants either reduced or did not alter the growth of seven plant species. After one year, prairie lupine Lupinus lepidus plants in fertilized plots had smaller diameters (average 35 cm) than those in unfertilized plots (average 40 cm). After 1–2 years, there was no significant difference in the growth of six other planted prairie species between fertilized and unfertilized plots (see original paper for data). In May 1995, twelve circular 4-m2 plots at the landfill site were each planted with four individuals of seven native prairie species. A granular NPK fertilizer was added to six plots, and six plots were left untreated. The landfill site had been decommissioned in 1966 and sown with grass in 1971. All surviving plants were measured in June and September 1995, and in July 1996 and 1997. Measurements included height, diameter, area, spread, and/or branch and stem length depending on the plant species.

    (Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)

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