Assessment of two seed technologies for the direct seeding of Festuca pallescens, a key species for grassland restoration in Patagonia

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 18, 2025

Direct seeding of native species is a practice with high potential for the restoration degraded areas. Since availability seeds often limited, it necessary to make most this resource. In work, we tested two different technologies direct Festuca pallescens : seed coating and hydrogel soil amendment. For this, conducted greenhouse trials under controlled conditions five field sowing in environments that differ mean annual precipitation seasons (autumn spring). The consisted (1) natural substrates (soil vs. without hydrogel) irrigation regimes (regular water restriction regime); (2) differently treated (natural coated) regime hydrogel). Field rainfall Greenhouse showed amendment increased relative humidity promoted growth regime. mixed results: reduced seedling emergence, while enhanced emergence when immediately after treatment but not thereafter. Autumn planting emerged as optimal season F. , correlating higher improved survival 1 year post‐planting. Site‐specific differences were also observed, highlighting habitat suitability variability. Overall, these exhibited context‐dependent effects, suggesting nuanced recommendations their application ecological efforts.

Language: Английский

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Effects of Burial Depth, Watering Regime and Soil Amendments on the Establishment of Four Arid Zone Species

Ecological Management & Restoration, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 26(2)

Published: April 3, 2025

ABSTRACT Direct seeding of restorative plants is a difficult task in arid environments due, part, to the low moisture levels inherent these areas. This barrier restoration has stimulated number methods help combat this issue, including burial seeds just below soil surface, addition fertiliser and use other suitable low‐cost amendments aimed at improving germination survival. study examines effects depth application on seedling emergence under different watering regimes four semi‐arid zone species. The used were hydrogel (EarthCare Water Crystals), (Osmocote), commercial microbial inoculant (Bactivate5). It was found that, while heavier seeded species able emerge from deeper all preferred shallow depths around 6–10 mm. Soil shown have minimal effect rates, regardless regime, regime largest impact. Seedlings (30% water holding capacity) lowest rate, moderate (55% produced highest across most Results obtained suggest that mm as opposed surface placement or burial, may enhance for tested. Although did not improve plant emergence, amendment still be beneficial developing seedlings by enhancing resilience adverse growing conditions such stress extreme temperatures.

Language: Английский

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Implementation and Costs of an Agroforestry System in a Degraded Area of the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region

Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5(2), P. 20 - 20

Published: April 29, 2025

Agroforestry systems (ASs) are increasingly recognized as effective strategies for ecological restoration and sustainable land use in semi-arid regions. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation early outcomes of an AS established a degraded urban area Brazilian region. Specifically, we analyzed system’s establishment process, estimated its costs, assessed structural development over time, compared species performance carbon accumulation across different biodiversity arrangements. After three years, system accumulated 17.69 Mg ha−1 demonstrated significant basal growth, particularly among fast-growing such Ceiba glaziovii, Gliricidia sepium, Moringa oleifera. These enhanced overall productivity likely contributed increases soil organic matter, facilitating more demanding, slow-growing species. Cost analysis indicated total maintenance estimate BRL 57,468.79 (USD 11,096.29) with irrigation accounting 44.39%, labor site preparation 31.59%, seedling production 24.02%. Although proved viable under institutional support, replicability smallholders remains dependent on reliable water access or aligned rainy season. The nursery seedlings survival feasibility. broader adoption agroforestry regions will require supportive public policies technical assistance. Strengthening government programs PNAE PRONAF is essential, these initiatives can promote by credit while also reducing when short-cycle crops grown within sold local schools. It important note that costs vary depending intended objectives, diversity, arrangement design. Therefore, assistance critical guiding selecting implementing context-appropriate systems. Our findings reinforce potential sequestration, restore lands, support food security climate-vulnerable

Language: Английский

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Are planting site conditions more important than soil amendments when direct seeding in the semiarid Mallee in regional Victoria, Australia?

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 7, 2025

Direct seeding is a potentially valuable method for restoration in arid areas due to its low cost and labor input but suffers from the drawback of reduced survival rates, which may lead planting failure. As such, addition soil amendments be one way increase success rates. This study investigated whether three types (fertilizers, hydrogels, microbial inoculants) would able emergence times direct works semiarid Mallee region north‐west Victoria, Australia. Seed four native species were mechanically directly seeded into sites across region, along with different combinations amendments. Emergence time recorded 1 year, properties at each location analyzed. The results showed that only two larger‐seeded ( Acacia ligulata Callitris gracilis ) emerge, while smaller‐seeded Eucalyptus calycogona Melaleuca lanceolata no emergence. Soil had effect on either seedling or time. Instead, significant outcome both survival. It was found locations highest did not necessarily show Low nutrient sandplains contained counts. longest surviving seedlings slightly higher nitrogen levels A. seedlings, C. survived highly sandy under cooler, wetter climate.

Language: Английский

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Vegetation regeneration on natural terrain landslides in Hong Kong: Direct seeding of native species as a restoration tool

Land Degradation and Development, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 34(3), P. 751 - 762

Published: Oct. 8, 2022

Abstract Landslides are common in tropical and subtropical regions with hilly terrains heavy rainstorms, can cause significant economic, ecological, social impacts. Natural forest succession is usually slow on landslides due to poor soil structure lack of woody plant seeds, often comes a higher risk repeated landslides. Active restoration has been increasingly suggested as an effective alternative restore exposed landslide scars. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness using different seed coatings surface treatments germination seedling establishment pioneer late‐successional tree species scars Hong Kong. Our results show that biochar‐dominant coating boosted rate by additional 9.33% (Standard error = 0.04), while clay‐dominant did not effects. The effects survival were both treatments. also large later successional have significantly rates than able successfully establish sites. These suggest direct seeding biochar coat seeds or useful method enhance germination—an essential first step forests after disturbances, potential be extended other humid forests.

Language: Английский

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A global review on arid zone restoration: approaches and challenges

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 32(6)

Published: Dec. 21, 2023

Arid environments have become degraded in recent times through human activity highlighting the need for restoration works to reverse this trend. One of most common forms is revegetation. However, revegetation difficult arid zone due a combination environmental factors such as low moisture and extreme temperatures, well financial administrative factors. In review, we investigated literature describing various methods available revegetation, assess their utility activities. Each were found potential advantages disadvantages, though some general trends observed. Two main planting identified, “out‐planting” “direct seeding.” Which these use depends on conditions project being undertaken. Out‐planting appeared be suited approach smaller scale projects with higher budget availability, whereas direct seeding was more large scale, lower projects. Weed control prior identified critical success works, soil ripping beneficial Among amendments investigated, water‐holding gels likely beneficial, fertilizers riskier reduce drought tolerance increase weed invasion. Microbial inoculation mycorrhiza showed high improve plant performance but may held back by lack suitable commercial sources. Newer seed technologies, synthetic coats pellets, show promise, issue still requires further research development.

Language: Английский

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A framework for ecological restoration cost accounting across context and scale

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 295, P. 110671 - 110671

Published: June 9, 2024

Language: Английский

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Should I plant or should I sow? Restoration outcomes compared across seven riparian revegetation projects

Ecological Management & Restoration, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 21(1), P. 58 - 65

Published: Dec. 20, 2019

Summary To revegetate native plant communities, it is often cheaper to direct seed than nursery‐grown stock. However, the outcomes of seeding can be quite variable, and unclear whether or planting more likely facilitate restoration diverse communities. address this question, we compared each method across several recent riparian revegetation projects where both tube‐stock were used. We surveyed at seven sites within greater Melbourne area that had been revegetated between 1 4 years previously. Sites all on land previously used for agriculture degraded public ranged in environmental climatic conditions. Woody density, establishment target species, species richness, diversity (evenness) heights assessed. Direct tended result higher densities similar but lower rates with planting. A median 67% established via 100% planting, seeded areas dominated by one two species. In general, overall driven site factors, rather method. suggest achieve good from areas, a bet‐hedging combined approach using sowing may best strategy.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating success of various restorative interventions through drone‐ and field‐collected data, using six putative framework species in Argentinian Patagonia

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 28(S1)

Published: Aug. 10, 2019

Field data and unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as drones, were used to analyze a long‐term experiment in severely degraded area of the “Monte,” one most arid biomes Argentina. methods drone orthoimages obtained from flights quadcopter at 20 40 m compare plantation plots versus natural recovery on scarified sites, field performance six putative framework species under four different treatments was evaluated. After 5 years soils with almost no organic matter mean annual rainfall averaging 145 mm, had high survival rates (>65%) for all determined through both survey imagery. Three planted greater number seedlings due their availability nurseries. For these experimental studied statistically. Independently treatment applied (control; 1/2 L hydrogel; 1 hydrogel + kg compost), highest found P. flexuosa var. depressa (88% ± 14.8) A. lampa (84% 14.8). Drone images showed that two plant cover. In sharp contrast, mechanical scarification without planting or other induced very low (<2%). We demonstrate imagery provides new valuable tool evaluating monitoring restorative interventions drylands.

Language: Английский

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Constraints of commercially available seed diversity in restoration: Implications for plant functional diversity

Plants People Planet, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 9, 2024

Societal Impact Statement Large quantities of diverse native seeds are required to scale up global restoration efforts. However, it remains unclear for many ecosystems how the diversity available seed in commercial stocks reflects composition where vegetation is being remade. This study highlights existing shortfalls presently use and identifies gaps supply chain while providing a new method optimising species selection given these constraints. work underscores improved collaboration between stakeholders strengthen help remake functionally vegetation. Summary Restoration using frequently implemented restore degraded ecosystems. constraints on germplasm may limit recovery both plant functional diversity. Using dataset availability Australia's major types, we explore variation breadth traits (leaf mass per area, mass, height) markets relative unavailable. data, simulate theoretical mixes derived from two pools: (1) constrained by current market commercially seed, (2) assuming all can be planted; then compare differences (dispersion) as an exercise possible limitations within supply. Seed only 12% Australian (2992 species) immediate purchase. was more trees shrubs than understorey species. Available were average taller, with thicker, longer‐lived leaves unavailable Overall, dispersion lower generated compared those drawn Solutions address so that plantings not rich but also diverse. We develop options: quantifying addressing currently capacity practitioners vegetation; applying trait‐informed species‐selection maximises seed.

Language: Английский

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