Long-term effects of reclamation treatments on plant succession in Iceland

Published source details Gretarsdottir J., Aradottir A.L., Vandvik V., Heegaard E. & Birks H. J. B. (2004) Long-term effects of reclamation treatments on plant succession in Iceland. Restoration Ecology, 12, 268-278.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Add fertilizer to soil (alongside planting/seeding) Action Link

Add fertilizer to soil (alongside planting/seeding)

A replicated, controlled study in 1954–1999 in three unvegetated areas in Iceland (Gretarsdottir et al. 2004) found that sowing of seeds followed by fertilization increased vegetation cover in two of three cases, increased cover of shrubs and trees in two of three cases, and did not increase the number of plant species. Plant cover was higher in two of three sites where seeds had been sown and fertilizer applied (7–100% cover) than in sites where no seeds were sown or fertilizer applied (1–5% cover). Shrub cover was higher in two of three sites where seeds had been sown and fertilizer applied (0–8% cover) than in sites where no seeds were sown or fertilizer applied (0–1% cover). The number of plant species was significantly lower in one of three sites where seeds had been sown and fertilizer applied (4–8 species) compared to sites where no seeds were sown or fertilizer applied (3–9 species). At one site seeds were sown from airplanes, followed by application of fertilizer between 1954 and 1979 while at the other site this occurred between 1960 and 1975. In 1999 five 100 m² plots were placed at each site and at nearby areas where no seed was sown and no fertilizer was applied. Ten 0.25 m² quadrats were placed randomly in each plot and vegetation cover assessed.

(Summarised by: Phil Martin)