Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Drill seed rather than seeding by hand Five studies examined the effects of drill seeding rather than sowing by hand on grassland vegetation. The studies were in the USA. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (3 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (3 studies): Two of three replicated, controlled studies (two of which were paired) in the USA found that sowing seeds with a seed drill did not alter plant species richness. The other study found mixed effects. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (4 STUDIES) Sown/planted species abundance (3 studies): One of three replicated, controlled studies (two of which were randomized and one paired) in the USA found that sowing seeds with a seed drill increased the density of two sown grass species compared to sowing by hand. The two other studies found that in most cases sowing seeds with a seed drill led to no change or a reduction in the abundance of sown plants compared to hydroseeding or sowing by hand. Grass abundance (1 study): One replicated, paired, controlled study in the USA found that sowing grassland seeds with a seed drill increased the abundance of warm-season grass species compared to sowing by hand. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3410https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3410Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:23:50 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Disturb soil before seeding/planting Seven studies examined the effects of disturbing soil before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. Five studies were in Europe and one study was in each of the USA and China. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (3 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (2 studies): One of two replicated, controlled studies in the UK and Germany found that disturbing soil before sowing seeds increased plant and seedling species richness. The other study found no change in plant species richness or diversity. Grass richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that rotovating soil before sowing seeds increased grass species richness in most cases compared to harrowing before sowing. Forb richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that rotovating soil before sowing seeds increased forb species richness in most cases compared to harrowing before sowing. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (2 STUDIES) Overall abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the UK found that disturbing soil before sowing seeds did not alter total plant biomass. Forb abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the USA found that disturbing soil before sowing forb seeds increased the cover of forb species. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (5 STUDIES) Germination/Emergence (5 studies): Four of five replicated, controlled studies (three of which were randomized and paired) in the USA, Germany, China and Spain found that disturbing soil before sowing seeds increased plant emergence in most cases compared to sowing alone. The other study found no change in seed germination. Survival (2 studies): One of two replicated, controlled studies (one of which was randomized and paired) in China and Spain found that disturbing soil before sowing seeds increased the survival of seedlings. The other study found that ploughing to disturb soil followed by planting did not alter the survival of planted species. Growth (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the USA found that disturbing soil before planting forb seedlings had no effect on seedling growth. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3413https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3413Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:51:17 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Burn vegetation before seeding/planting We found no studies that evaluated the effects of burning vegetation before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3417https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3417Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:16:14 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Apply herbicide before seeding/planting Four studies examined the effects of applying herbicide before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. Two studies were in the USA and one study was in each of Germany and the UK. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (1 STUDY) Sown/planted species richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the UK found that applying herbicide before sowing seeds increased sown species richness. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (2 STUDIES) Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that spraying with herbicide before sowing seeds increased the cover of sown grass species. Forb abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that spraying with herbicide before sowing grass seeds did not alter or reduced the density of native forb species. Tree/shrub abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that spraying with herbicide before sowing grass seeds led to an increase in the density of shrubs. Individual plant species abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that spraying with herbicide before sowing grass seeds did not alter the density of crested wheatgrass. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Germination/Emergence (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in Germany found that spraying with herbicide before sowing seeds increased seedling emergence for five of eight wildflower species. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3418https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3418Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:22:52 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Add topsoil before seeding/planting One study examined the effects of adding topsoil before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. The study was in the USA. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (1 STUDY) Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that adding topsoil before sowing seeds increased plant species richness. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (1 STUDY) Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that adding topsoil before sowing seeds increased the biomass of sown species in most cases. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3420https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3420Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:37:29 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Add woody debris to protect seeds/plants One study examined the effects of adding woody debris to protect seeds/plants on grassland vegetation. The study was in Kenya. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Survival (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in Kenya found that sowing buffel grass seeds beside woody debris did not affect seedling survival. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3421https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3421Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:40:28 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Add charcoal to soil before seeding/planting One study examined the effects of adding charcoal to soil before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. The study was in the Netherlands. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (1 STUDY) Overall abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the Netherlands found that adding charcoal to soil before sowing seeds did not alter overall plant biomass. Grass abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the Netherlands found that adding charcoal to soil before sowing seeds did not alter grass cover. Forb abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the Netherlands found that adding charcoal to soil before sowing seeds increased the cover of legumes but did not alter the cover of other forbs. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3422https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3422Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:43:15 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Add mulch before or after seeding/planting Six studies examined the effects of adding mulch before or after seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. Two studies were in Canada, two were in the USA, and one study was in each of the UK and Germany. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (1 STUDY) Characteristic plant richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Germany found that adding mulch before sowing seeds did not alter the species richness of target plants. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (4 STUDIES) Overall abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Canada found that adding mulch before sowing seeds did not increase plant cover. Characteristic plant abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Germany found that adding mulch before sowing seeds increased the cover of target plant species. Sown/planted species abundance (2 studies): One of two replicated, randomized, controlled studies in the USA and UK found that adding mulch before sowing seeds did not alter the density of six sown plant species in most cases. The other study found that adding mulch before planting seedlings reduced the cover of planted species. Individual species abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the UK found that adding mulch before planting seedlings did not alter the cover of common knapweed. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (2 STUDIES) Germination/Emergence (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Canada found that adding mulch before sowing seeds increased the number of seedlings in most cases. Growth (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that adding mulch after planting native prairie plants did not alter the growth of any of seven plant species. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3425https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3425Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:05:54 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Add fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting Seventeen studies examined the effects of adding fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. Nine studies were in North America, six studies were in Europe, one study was in China, and one was in Brazil. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (3 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (3 studies): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in Spain found that adding fertilizer alongside sowing of non-native plant seeds increased plant diversity in 40% of cases. Two replicated, controlled studies in Spain and Italy found that plant species richness and diversity were not altered by organic matter or fertilizer addition alongside seeding. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (13 STUDIES) Overall abundance (8 studies): Six of nine replicated, controlled studies (five of which were also randomized and paired) in North America and Europe found that adding fertilizer alongside sowing or planting increased vegetation cover in all or some cases. Three studies found no change in vegetation cover or plant density. Characteristic plant abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that adding fertilizer and sowing seeds increased the abundance of specialist grassland species. Sown/planted species abundance (3 studies): Two replicated, randomized, controlled studies in the USA found that adding fertilizer after sowing seeds did not alter the density of sown forbs. One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the USA found that adding fertilizer after sowing seeds increased the cover but not the density of four sown plant species. Grass abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that adding fertilizer and sowing seeds increased the biomass of three native grass species. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (4 STUDIES) Germination/Emergence (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in China found that adding fertilizer and sowing seeds did not increase seedling emergence or density. Survival (3 studies): Three replicated, controlled, paired studies (one of which was randomized) in the UK, China and Brazil found that adding fertilizer alongside sowing seeds did not alter the survival of seedlings. Growth (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled study in the USA found that adding fertilizer after planting native prairie plants reduced the diameter of prairie lupine plants and did not alter the growth of six other plant species. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3427https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3427Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:37:44 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Add sulphur to soil before seeding/planting Two studies examined the effects of adding sulphur to soil before seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. One study was in the UK and one was in the USA. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (2 STUDIES) Overall richness/diversity (1 study): One of two replicated, controlled studies (one of which was randomized and paired) in the UK and USA found that adding sulphur to soil before sowing seeds reduced plant species richness. The other study found no change in overall plant species richness. Native/non-target species richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that adding sulphur to soil before sowing seeds did not alter the number of native plant species. VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (2 STUDIES) Overall abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that adding sulphur to soil before sowing seeds reduced overall vegetation cover. Sown/planted species abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in the UK found that adding low amounts of sulphur to soil before sowing seeds increased the cover of three of six sown species. Native/non-target species abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that adding sulphur to soil before sowing seeds did not alter the cover of native plant species. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3428https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3428Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:48:32 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Add carbon to soil before or after seeding/planting Two studies examined the effects of adding carbon to soil before or after seeding/planting on grassland vegetation. Both studies were in the USA. VEGETATION COMMUNITY (0 STUDIES) VEGETATION ABUNDANCE (2 STUDIES) Sown/planted species abundance (2 studies): Two replicated, randomized, controlled studies in the USA found that adding carbon to soil after sowing seeds either reduced or did not alter the density of sown forb species. VEGETATION STRUCTURE (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3433https%3A%2F%2Fconservationevidencejournal.com%2Factions%2F3433Thu, 08 Jul 2021 17:12:59 +0100
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

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