Incrementally rich seeding treatments in tallgrass prairie restoration

Published source details Piper J.K. (2014) Incrementally rich seeding treatments in tallgrass prairie restoration. Ecological Restoration, 32, 396-406.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Increase number of species in seed mix Action Link

Increase number of species in seed mix

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2007–2012 in a former corn field in Kansas, USA (Piper 2014) found that increasing the number of species sown increased the species richness and cover of sown plant species, but reduced the number and cover of unsown species. After six years, cover of sown species was higher in areas where high diversity seed mixes were sown (98–127%) than in areas where a low diversity mix was sown (45%). The same was true for the species richness of sown plant species (7–14 species vs 3 species). After six years, cover of unsown species was lower in plots where a high diversity seed mix was sown (6–20%) than in areas where a low diversity mix was sown (55%). In three of four cases, unsown species richness was lower in plots where high diversity seed mixes were sown (6–11 species) than in plots where a low diversity seed mix was sown (5 species). In 2006, the corn field was mowed. In February 2007, twenty-five 900-m² plots were established. In 20 plots, 8–20 species were sown, while in five plots four species were sown. All plots were mown to a height of 10 cm in June 2007 and January 2008. In July 2007–2013, twelve 75 x 75 cm quadrats/plot were used to assess vegetation cover and plant species richness.

(Summarised by: Philip Martin)