Study

Assembly history alters alpha and beta diversity, exotic–native proportions and functioning of restored prairie plant communities

  • Published source details Martin L.M. & Wilsey B.J. (2012) Assembly history alters alpha and beta diversity, exotic–native proportions and functioning of restored prairie plant communities. Journal of Applied Ecology, 49, 1436-1445.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Sow seeds at start of growing season

Action Link
Grassland Conservation
  1. Sow seeds at start of growing season

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2005–2010 in two grassland sites in Iowa, USA (Martin & Wilsey 2012) found that sowing seeds in spring increased plant diversity compared to sowing seeds in autumn. In areas where seeds were sown in spring, plant species diversity was higher than in areas where seeds were sown in autumn (data reported as Simpson’s diversity index). In 2005, at each site, fifty-eight 5 x 5 m plots were sown with grass and/or prairie seeds in spring and 58 plots were sown with grass and/or prairie seeds in autumn. In 2006–2010, point intercept sampling was using to estimate species diversity in each plot.

    (Summarised by: Philip Martin)

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