Site Development & Revegetation Unit 4 PDF

S I T E D E V E L O P M E N T- R E V E G E T A T I O N UNIT 4  Background reading Establishing native plant communities...

S I T E D E V E L O P M E N T- R E V E G E T A T I O N UNIT 4  Background reading Establishing native plant communities 45-58 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 2 Choosing species 1. Was it there, will it come there, should it be there Using range community, and ecosite guides we can predetermine recommended species 2. Will it support the desired end land use Restoration vs Reclamation Functional vs Ecological restoration difference eco(put back into the original) functional (priority is the functions, what was the functions before, doesn’t need to have the same vegetation before) 3. Is it available and how will we support it Does it need to be planted, does it need resources, does it need protection 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 3  Grassland options Most grasslands are reseeded Wild Harvest Seed– sourced locally, unreliable, often untested, unreliable stock, possibly misidentified Cultivar– genetically restricted and multiplied for specific needs, more reliable, native grass cultivars with limited availability or not locally developed Ecovar TM-Ducks Unlimited coined, cultivar to maintain genetic diversity, related to seed zone and natural subregion Emergence: result of site conditions and revegetation practice + Seed size and dormancy Drill or Broadcast? Good (puts it in the ground) bad (organized, big cant get in some areas), Broadcast good( Plug or Bareroot? Plugged is like the trees we got from school to plant, bareroot does not have much soil around the root Patch or Mixed?  Seeds- 3 types available Wild Harvest Native cultivars from seed retailers Ecovars Seed A named variety of a particular species, selected for improved Seed from an ecological High genetic diversity agronomic traits variety is collected for a Ease of establishment particular region and grown in Well adapted to source a nursery Increased yield region Goal to maintain genetic Disease resistance diversity (but some selection Problems- dirty, More predictable than wild seed is inevitable) misidentified, since you Genetic distinctness is maintained Selected for high seed are taking from one site by plant breeders production and seed viability the site one is going to Cultivars maintain their species have weeds next year name but have a cultivar name Problems- not all available, may (never take more than attached not be adapted to the region 70%) Cultivars originating from similar natural regions are preferred Problems- not all plants are available, expensive, may not be adapted to the region  Seeding details Seed characteristics we want to know: - Germination rates What percentage of the seed lot is viable and germinated under laboratory tests - TZ (tetrazolium) A test that uses a stain to determine what percentage of the seed in a lot is viable - Purity rates Cleanliness of the seed lot (inert material, other species, etc.) - Establishment Expected % of seedlings growing after one season based on expected germination and seedling vigor - Seed Weight Expressed as number of seeds per gram Site characteristics we want to know: Desired plant density, community proportions Site limiting factors- may alter establishment % Weeds Erosion water/nutrient 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 6  More seeding details Pure Live Seed (PLS) germination adjusts for non- viable seed Purity adjusts for inert material, weed seeds, etc. Plants per m2 Desired density per species following 1 growing season, indicates relative species dominance Target plant density The desired final density of each species at maturity, determined by pre site assessment or reference material – plant community guides 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 7 Seed Certificates Documents % germination, PLS, presence of nuisance or noxious weed seeds and inert material (chaff) Always ask supplier for certificate Never purchase seed lot with >0.5% weeds and never any with listed weeds  Seeding actions Wild seed collection: Timing different per species May pre-treat site using fire or grazing to encourage greater seed production in year of collection Allow rest period and do not collect more than 30% Use seed strippers or combines Problems with use of combines and restoration? – combine with native seeds, risk damaging site and seed. Forage harvester is better than combine- plates that rotal forward Seed Purchase: Order as early as possible Ask for seed certificate 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 9 Buy pre-mixed or not Seeding Time Always apply seed before mulch, blanketing, or erosion Native species are better adapted to cooler soil temperatures than exotics Advantage to early spring or late fall seeding Avoid seeding in the hot, dry season Late fall seeding for species with dormancy requirements Freeze/thaw cycles will break dormancy Seeding too early in the fall can result in fall emergence and high seedling mortality Frost and drought Fall seeding needs to be late enough to ensure spring germination Ideal seeding times vary from species to species  Seeding Time Seed should be applied as soon after seedbed preparation as possible when the soil is loose and moist Spring or fall, winter (late fall or spring is really good to seed) Cool season species (Fescue, mixed and dry mixed grass regions) Germination at 5-8 C Dormant seed- seed after October 20th or early spring April to June 1 Warm season (Tall grasses) Germination at 10-12 C Seed in spring mid My- June 1 Moisture limited Critical limiting factors are: Soil moisture  Seeding date Seeding date impacts germination and plant establishment Spring seeding generally most successful (April to June) Can use tillage to control early annual or perennial weeds Highest moisture availability Busy time of the year Fall seeding (late September – October) Need cool soil temperature to delay germination Better site conditions Provides stratification to break dormancy Equipment is more available  Seeding date Winter seeding Seed onto snow cover Typically done when site access is difficult High seeding loss due to predation and runoff Rig matting Summer seeding (July- Sept) Lowest moisture availability Generally extremely poor establishment Plants must have time to develop in order to over winter  Seeding actions Drill vs Broadcast vs Hydro seeding Means of applying seed to the ground- depends on site conditions and seed characteristics Drill: Seed is directly applied in opened furrows in the soil Seed- soil contact is guaranteed Minimal loss of seed Challenge: large equipment, limited adaptability 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 14  Seeding actions Drill vs Broadcast vs Hydro seeding Means of apply seed to the ground- depends on site conditions and seed characteristics Hydrolo seeding – have a truck with seeds in water and shot out the water/seeds out on a matted area Broadcast: Seed is “thrown” on to ground, non uniform pattern achieved Good for seed mixes with varied seed size or morphology – avoids “bridging” Challenge: high losses due to erosion, wind therefore must be followed by harrowing 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 15  Seeding actions Drill vs Broadcast vs Hydro seeding Means of apply seed to the ground- depends on site conditions and seed characteristics Typically happens on road sides Hydro seeding: Seed is mixed with a tackifier in a slurry and sprayed on to sites Good on steep slopes Challenges: expensive Mostly done bc we don’t want the soil on the road, so we want some vegetation to prevent it Early fall would be good, roads are after spring after the rainfall 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 16  Deciding what to seed Prioritize diversity Diversity in structure Diversity in Requirements (of the plant, on site, type of pollinator) Diversity in seasonality – warm season vs cool season grasses Diversity in successional stage (C3 vs C4, shade intolerant and direct sunlight) Seed mixes can have between 3 and 20 different species (challenges; meet the same requirements, depth of seeding) (solution is separating the seed mix into separate mixes based on seed size, quantity, warm or cool season) Common reclamation mixes will contain 3-7 grasses and 2-3 forbs Use reference community or range community guide to direct focus of species to use Understand competitiveness of species already present 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 17  Recommended densities QUESTION ON THE QUIZ Desired plant density Grassland minimum density: 10plants/m2 Grassland minimum density with concern over invasives: 25 plants/ m2 Forbs: 5-9 plants/m2 Shrubs: 1-2plants/m2 Trees: 1 tree/2m How many plants/ha is that? 1tree for 1m *10000 =at least 500 We want usually 2000 stems Measure at year 1 and year 3 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 18  Seed alternatives Plugs and small transplants Pre-grown, rooted plants either in containers or bareroot Purchased or collected from donor/ pre- disturbance works Works well for hard to establish species Susceptible to damage Drought Competition Examples: Seedlings (1- or 2-year-old pre grown container or barerooted stock) Grass, or forb plugs moved on to sites when seed is unavailable 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 19  Seed alternatives cont. Sod or patches Native plant community that will be disturbed, transplanted as a whole Must match source environment to placement environment Stakes (whips) or propagules Reproductive material other than seed Roots, bulbs and stocks Not possible for all species 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 20  Plant staking - Bioengineering Objectives: Revegetation Slope stabilization Habitat How As individual stakes In a bundle (fascine or wattle) Harvest stakes in dormant period or no more than 1 week before planting Stakes should be minimum 1m long and 1cm in diameter Stake in spring, after soaking for 3-4 days Stake 75% cutting below ground What plants? –Riparian willows, balsam popular, coltonwoods, 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 21  Wait a seed zone? Alberta has multiple seed zones Forest genetic resource management and conservation standards(FGRMS) Under Forest Act standard in reforestation to control survival, growth of individuals and community resilience regulates movement of wild harvest materials and planting across zones 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 22  What about peatlands? Moss Layer Transfer Technique Top 10cm harvested Spread at a ration of 1:10 Thin layer of mulch Introduce living propagules Transplant from a similar peatland community nearby Spread moss fragments to disperse material for propagation Planting woody species on mounds Polytrichum strictum- pioneer moss 2/1/20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 23