Revegetation of roadcut slopes in Mesa Verde National Park, USA

Published source details Paschke M.W., DeLeo C. & Redente E.F. (2000) Revegetation of roadcut slopes in Mesa Verde National Park, USA. Restoration Ecology, 8, 276-282.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use erosion blanket after seeding/planting Action Link
	Add fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting Action Link

Use erosion blanket after seeding/planting

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1993–1997 on three road verges in Colorado, USA (Paschke et al. 2000) found that using an erosion control blanket after seeding and planting did not alter vegetation cover compared to seeding and planting alone. Vegetation cover was not significantly different in areas where an erosion control blanket was used, seeds were sown, and plants were planted (0.6–12.3%) and areas where no erosion control blanket was used but seeds were sown and plants planted (2.7–10.5%). In October 1993, three blocks each containing two plots, were established on road verges. An erosion control blanket made of aspen Populus sp. shavings and plastic netting was added to one plot that was then sown with seeds of 13 grass, forb, and shrub species and planted with the same plant species. One plot was planted with plants and sown with seeds but no erosion control blanket was added. Vegetation cover in each plot was recorded in June 1994–1997.

(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
Add fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1993–1997 on three road verges in Colorado, USA (Paschke et al. 2000) found that adding fertilizer alongside seeding and planting increased vegetation cover in half of cases compared to seeding and planting alone. In three of six comparisons, vegetation cover was higher in plots where fertilizer was added, seeds were sown, and plants were planted (11.1–24.4%) than in plots where no fertilizer was added but seeding and planting was undertaken (2.7–8.6%). In two of six comparisons there was no significant difference (fertilized: 3.3–21.1%; unfertilized: 1.5–10.5%), and in one of six comparisons vegetation cover was lower in fertilized plots (fertilized: 0.6%; unfertilized: 8.9%). In October 1993 blocks, each with two plots, were established on three road verges. BioSol® organic fertilizer was added at a rate of 2242 kg/ha to one plot that was then sown with seeds of 13 grass, forb, and shrub species and planted with the same plant species. One plot was seeded and planted but no fertilizer was added. Vegetation cover in each plot was recorded in June 1994–1997.

(Summarised by: Philip Martin)