Effects of Species Richness on Resident and Target Species Components in a Prairie Restoration

摘要: The ecological role of biodiversity in achieving successful restoration has been little explored ecology. We tested the prediction that we are more likely to create persistent, species-rich plant communities by increasing number species sown, and, some degree, varying functional group representation, experimental prairie plantings. There were 12 treatments consisting 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-species mixtures native perennials representing four groups (C4 grasses, C3 nitrogen-fixing species, late-flowering composites) predominate within Central Plains tallgrass prairies. In 2000, seeded into square plots (6 × 6 m), with five replicates per treatment, on former agricultural land. Annually, measured total richness evenness, target cover, cover resident (i.e., those emerging from seed bank). Both rate establishment highest most mixtures, but there was no additional benefit for contained than eight species. Richness did not vary richness; however, lower higher treatments. Our results, indicating mimics can be enhanced starting larger numbers at outset, have implications grassland which community creation maintenance key goals.