Study

Effect of seed source, topsoil removal, and plant neighbor removal on restoring California coastal prairies

  • Published source details Buisson E., Holl K.D., Anderson S., Corcket E., Hayes G.F., Torre F., Peteers A. & Dutoit T. (2006) Effect of seed source, topsoil removal, and plant neighbor removal on restoring California coastal prairies. Restoration Ecology, 14, 569-577.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Remove topsoil or turf before seeding/planting

Action Link
Grassland Conservation
  1. Remove topsoil or turf before seeding/planting

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2002–2004 in two coastal prairies in California, USA (Buisson et al. 2006) found that removing topsoil before planting California oatgrass Danthonia californica plants increased their survival compared to planting without topsoil removal. After 18 months, survival of California oatgrass plants was higher in areas where topsoil was removed and plants planted (39%) than in areas where topsoil was not removed and plants were planted (12%). In each site, in August 2002 topsoil was removed from twenty-four 1.5 × 1.5 m plots to a depth of 10 cm by tilling, while topsoil was not removed from 24 plots. In January 2003, four California oatgrass plants were planted in each plot. Survival of plants in each plot was recorded in March, June and December 2003 and June 2004.

    (Summarised by: Philip Martin)

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