Investigating predictors of plant establishment during roadside restoration.

摘要: Ecological restoration on roadsides confers several ecological benefits, but also poses significant challenges. Native plants used in efforts must survive compacted soil, harsh microclimates, prolific invasive species, and pollution from road salts vehicle emissions. Criteria for both site species selection need to be developed assist practitioners restoring roadside environments. We transplanted seedlings of 9 grassland plant into plots within 8 highway interchanges surrounding Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. To see if they might predict performance restoration, we assessed 2 indices: the coefficient conservatism (CC) as an index affinity undisturbed habitat; number U.S. counties which each occurs distribution. measured seedling survival, height, biomass during first growing season, survival 1 year after transplant. soil characteristics, air temperature, humidity at interchange. found that characteristics largely determined survival. Plants were more likely sandier soils than rich silt or clay had high bulk density, pH, conductivity. Although varied among interchanges, neither CC nor county-level distribution was a useful predictor Our results illustrate importance matching with local when choosing sites, offer guidance transportation officials considering native plants, working restore any heavily disturbed site.