Determining the Optimal Sowing Density for a Mixture of Native Plants Used to Revegetate Degraded Ecosystems

摘要: No standardized, objective methodology exists for optimizing seeding rates when establishing herbaceous plant cover pastures, hay fields, ecological restoration, or other revegetation activities. Seeding densities, fertilizer use, season of seeding, and the interaction these treatments were tested using native plants on degraded sites in northern British Columbia, Canada. A mixture 20% Achillea millefolium, Carex aenea, Elymus glaucus, Festuca occidentalis, 16% Geum macrophyllum, 4% Lupinus polyphyllus seed was applied at 0, 375, 750, 1,500, 3,000, 6,000 pure live (PLS) per m 2 2.5 3 2.5‐m rototilled test plots, established fall spring, with without fertilizer. There no significant difference sown species between spring few treatment interactions identified first years after sowing. densities 3,000 PLS/m year, nor among second year. Seed as low 375 produced year equivalent to that observed 1. Plots less than equal 750 generally exhibited an increase (infilling) density from 1 2, whereas plots greater 1,500 a decrease (density-dependent mortality) density. These results imply most efficient sowing (corresponding 190‐301 . 22 two growing seasons). It is suggested net changes populations over range are robust means determining optimal establishment perennials.