Use slot/strip seeding

Overall effectiveness category Evidence not assessed
Number of studies: 2
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Effectiveness

not assessed
Certainty

not assessed
Harms

not assessed

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Background information and definitions

Slot or strip seeding involves drilling of seeds into shallow slots using specialized machinery. This potentially aids germination of grassland seeds by reducing seed removal by seed predators as well as allowing for lower application rates of seeds.

Study locations

Key messages

Two studies examined the effects of using slot/strip seeding on grassland vegetation. Both studies were in the UK.

VEGETATION COMMUNITY (1 STUDY)

Grass richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that strip seeding increased grass species richness.
Forb richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that strip seeding increased forb species richness.

VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (1 STUDY)

Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One review in the UK found that in the majority of cases strip seeding resulted in failed introductions of sown species.

VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1994–1996 at six improved grassland sites in the UK (Hopkins et al. 1999) found that strip seeding increased grass and forb species richness in most cases compared to not sowing seeds. No statistical analyses were carried out in this study. In 11 of 12 comparisons, strip seeded plots had more grass species (5–14 species/plot) than unsown plots (4–13 species/plot), while in one comparison, there were fewer grass species in strip seeded plots (7 species/plot) than unsown plots (8 species/plot). In eight of 12 comparisons, forb species richness was higher in strip seeded plots (7–25 species/plot) than unsown plots (4–15 species/plot), while in four comparisons, forb species richness in strip seeded plots was equal to or lower than that in unsown plots (both 5–8 species/plot). In August 1994, at each site, strip seeding (at a spacing of 23 cm and depth of <2 cm) was carried out in four 6 x 4 m plots, while four plots were left unseeded. Seed mixes contained seeds of five grass species and 18 forb species. In May/June of 1995 and 1996, three 40 x 40 cm quadrats were placed in each plot and the frequency of each grass and forb species recorded.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Hopkins A., Pywell R.F., Peel S., Johnson R.H. & Bowling P.J. (1999) Enhancement of botanical diversity of permanent grassland and impact on hay production in Environmentally Sensitive Areas in the UK. Grass and Forage Science, 54, 163-173.
A review in 1996–2009 of three studies of semi-natural grassland restoration in the UK (Hedberg et al. 2010) found that strip seeding resulted in failed introductions of grassland species in the majority of cases. Two of three studies of strip seeding to restore semi-natural grasslands reported failed reintroductions, while one study did not report enough information to allow the success of the introduction to be determined. The review used keyword searches to identify studies where semi-natural grassland restoration was carried out. All studies of strip seeding used machinery to drill seeds into the soil.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Hedberg P. & Kotowski W. (2010) New nature by sowing? The current state of species introduction in grassland restoration, and the road ahead. Journal for Nature Conservation, 18, 304-308.

Please cite as:

Martin, P.A., Ockendon, N., Berthinussen, A, Smith, R.K. and Sutherland W.J. (2021) Grassland Conservation: Global evidence for the effects of selected interventions. Conservation Evidence Series Synopses. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Grassland Conservation

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Studies	Category
Sow seeds in prepared gaps within vegetation Action Link	Evidence not assessed	1	Synopsis Link
Sow native grass and forbs Action Link	Evidence not assessed	50	Synopsis Link
Add carbon to soil before or after seeding/planting Action Link	Evidence not assessed	2	Synopsis Link