Using precision prairie reconstruction to drive the native seeded species colonization process

Published source details Grygiel C.E., Norland J.E. & Biondini M.E. (2014) Using precision prairie reconstruction to drive the native seeded species colonization process. Restoration Ecology, 22, 465-471.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Add carbon to soil before or after seeding/planting Action Link
	Add fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting Action Link
	Sow native grass and forbs Action Link

Add carbon to soil before or after seeding/planting

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1998–2010 in a former arable field in Minnesota, USA (Grygiel et al. 2014; same study site as Grygiel et al. 2012) found that adding carbon to soil after sowing seeds did not alter the density of sown native forb species. After 10–12 years, the average density of sown forb species did not differ significantly between plots where carbon was applied after seeds were sown (29 plants/m²) and plots where carbon was not applied after seeds were sown (40 plant/m²). In autumn 1998, two 4 x 3 m plots in each of five blocks were tilled and sown with a seed mixture containing four native grasses and 12 native forbs. In spring 1999, one plot/block had carbon applied (granular sugar at a rate of 0.5 kg/m²), while the other plot had no carbon applied. In July–August 2005–2010, the density of sown forb species was estimated in each of the 10 plots.

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
Add fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1998–2010 in a former arable field in Minnesota, USA (Grygiel et al. 2014; same study site as Grygiel et al. 2012) found that adding fertilizer to soil after sowing seeds did not alter the density of sown native forb species. After 10–12 years, the average density of sown forb species did not differ significantly between plots where fertilizer was applied after seeds were sown (33 plants/m²) and plots where fertilizer was not applied after seeds were sown (40 plant/m²). In autumn 1998, two 4 x 3 m plots in each of five blocks were tilled and sown with a seed mixture containing four native grasses and 12 native forbs. In spring 1999, one plot/block had slow-release phosphorous fertilizer applied at a rate of 14 g/m², while the other plot had no fertilizer applied. In July–August 2005–2010, the density of sown forb species was estimated in each of the 10 plots.

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
Sow native grass and forbs

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1998–2010 in a former arable field in Minnesota, USA (Grygiel et al. 2014) found that sowing native grass and forb seeds increased native forb density where seeds were sown, as well as in surrounding areas. After 10–12 years, the average density of sown forb species was higher in plots where seeds were sown (29–40 plants/m²) than in plots where seeds were not sown (1 plant/m²). Sown forb density was also higher in areas 1–3 m away from plots where seeds were sown (5–19 plants/m²) than in areas a similar distance from plots that were not sown with seeds (<0.1–14 plants/m²). In autumn 1998, in each of five blocks, five 4 x 3 m plots were tilled and sown with a seed mixture containing four native grasses and 12 native forbs at a rate of 400 seeds/m², while one plot was tilled but no seeds were sown. Some of the sown plots also received additional treatments (fertilizer, heat and/or carbon addition). In July–August 2005–2010, density of sown forb species was estimated in each plot, in a 1-m area surrounding each plot, and in three 0.5 × 0.5 m quadrats within each of four 3 x 3 m areas located 3 m away from each plot to the north, east, south and west.

(Summarised by: Philip Martin)