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Andres SE, Lieurance PE, Mills CH, Tetu SG, Gallagher RV. Morphological Seed Traits Predict Early Performance of Native Species to Pelletized Seed Enhancement Technologies. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:2256. [PMID: 39204692 PMCID: PMC11360080 DOI: 10.3390/plants13162256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Native seeds are a finite resource, and their inclusion in revegetation is vital for supporting restoration outcomes that are both effective and scalable. Pelletized seed enhancement technologies (SETs) offer a promising solution to improve seed use efficiency in ecological restoration. Yet, knowledge of how diverse suites of native species perform when pelletized is required to optimize the application of SETs to the many species and ecosystems where restoration is required. Using a greenhouse trial of 64 Australian plant species, we assessed species performance to pelleting by evaluating (1) overall species amenability to pelleting based on total emergence and survival and (2) how pelleting modifies the rate of emergence based on average time to emergence, emergence rate index, and time spread of emergence. We investigated the potential for using morphological seed traits (seed endosperm:seed ratio, seed length, seed area, and seed coat thickness) to predict performance outcomes, by identifying traits that may aid in the prediction of species amenability to pelleting and emergence speed when pelletized. We found that some species demonstrate high amenability to pelleting and that pelleting can modify the emergence rates for many species. This work advances our understanding of the applicability of SETs for diverse native species, demonstrating the application of such technologies for meeting ecological restoration goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E Andres
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Paige E Lieurance
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
- AirSeed Technologies, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Charlotte H Mills
- AirSeed Technologies, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Sasha G Tetu
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Rachael V Gallagher
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
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2
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Peddle SD, Hodgson RJ, Borrett RJ, Brachmann S, Davies TC, Erickson TE, Liddicoat C, Muñoz-Rojas M, Robinson JM, Watson CD, Krauss SL, Breed MF. Practical applications of soil microbiota to improve ecosystem restoration: current knowledge and future directions. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39075839 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Soil microbiota are important components of healthy ecosystems. Greater consideration of soil microbiota in the restoration of biodiverse, functional, and resilient ecosystems is required to address the twin global crises of biodiversity decline and climate change. In this review, we discuss available and emerging practical applications of soil microbiota into (i) restoration planning, (ii) direct interventions for shaping soil biodiversity, and (iii) strategies for monitoring and predicting restoration trajectories. We show how better planning of restoration activities to account for soil microbiota can help improve progress towards restoration targets. We show how planning to embed soil microbiota experiments into restoration projects will permit a more rigorous assessment of the effectiveness of different restoration methods, especially when complemented by statistical modelling approaches that capitalise on existing data sets to improve causal understandings and prioritise research strategies where appropriate. In addition to recovering belowground microbiota, restoration strategies that include soil microbiota can improve the resilience of whole ecosystems. Fundamentally, restoration planning should identify appropriate reference target ecosystem attributes and - from the perspective of soil microbiota - comprehensibly consider potential physical, chemical and biological influences on recovery. We identify that inoculating ecologically appropriate soil microbiota into degraded environments can support a range of restoration interventions (e.g. targeted, broad-spectrum and cultured inoculations) with promising results. Such inoculations however are currently underutilised and knowledge gaps persist surrounding successful establishment in light of community dynamics, including priority effects and community coalescence. We show how the ecological trajectories of restoration sites can be assessed by characterising microbial diversity, composition, and functions in the soil. Ultimately, we highlight practical ways to apply the soil microbiota toolbox across the planning, intervention, and monitoring stages of ecosystem restoration and address persistent open questions at each stage. With continued collaborations between researchers and practitioners to address knowledge gaps, these approaches can improve current restoration practices and ecological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn D Peddle
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Riley J Hodgson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Ryan J Borrett
- SoilsWest, Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - Stella Brachmann
- University of Waikato Te Whare Wananga o Waikato Gate 1, Knighton Road, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Tarryn C Davies
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Todd E Erickson
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park Science, Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia
- Centre for Engineering Innovation, School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Craig Liddicoat
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Miriam Muñoz-Rojas
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Seville, C. San Fernando, Sevilla, Spain
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Ecosystem Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Jake M Robinson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Carl D Watson
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Siegfried L Krauss
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park Science, Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Martin F Breed
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
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3
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Jarrar H, El-Keblawy A, Ghenai C, Abhilash PC, Bundela AK, Abideen Z, Sheteiwy MS. Seed enhancement technologies for sustainable dryland restoration: Coating and scarification. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166150. [PMID: 37595910 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
High temperatures, soil salinity, a lack of available water, loose soils with reduced water holding, and low soil fertility are obstacles to restoration efforts in degraded drylands and desert ecosystems. Improved soil physical and chemical properties, seed germination and seedling recruitment, and plant growth are all proposed as outcomes of seed enhancement technologies (SETs). Seed priming, seed coating, and seed scarification are three SETs' methods for promoting seed germination and subsequent plant development under unfavorable environmental conditions. Various subtypes can be further classified within these three broad groups. The goals of this review are to (1) develop a general classification of coating and scarification SETs, (2) facilitate the decision-making process to adopt suitable SETs for arid lands environments, and (3) highlight the benefits of coating and scarification SETs in overcoming biotic and abiotic challenges in ecological restoring degraded dryland. For rehabilitating degraded lands and restoring drylands, it is recommended to 1) optimize SETs that have been used effectively for a long time, particularly those associated with seed physiological enhancement and seed microenvironment, 2) integrate coating and scarification to overcome different biotic and abiotic constraints, and 3) apply SET(s) to a mixture of seeds from various species and sizes. However, more research should be conducted on developing SETs for large-scale use to provide the required seed tonnages for dryland restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Jarrar
- Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Research Group, Research Institute for Sciences and Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ali El-Keblawy
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Chaouki Ghenai
- Department of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - P C Abhilash
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Amit Kumar Bundela
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
| | - Zainul Abideen
- Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Mohamed S Sheteiwy
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
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4
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Berto B, Erickson TE, Ritchie AL. Improving Seed Morphology and Germination Potential in Australian Native Grasses Using Seed Enhancement Technologies. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2432. [PMID: 37446992 DOI: 10.3390/plants12132432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Difficult to handle seed material and poor germination commonly limit the uptake of native grasses in restoration and commercial-scale seeding efforts. Seed enhancement technologies (SETs) offer valuable solutions for improving the handling of seed material and optimising germination. This study considered eight widespread Australian native grasses; two representative of Mediterranean to temperate climates ('cool-climate' species) and six representative of arid to subtropical climates ('warm-climate' species). Through a series of experiments, this study logically selected and applied SET treatments to improve seed handling and germination for each study species. Seed handling was prioritised and addressed using flash flaming and/or acid digestion, while hydropriming was used following seed-handling treatments to enhance germination. Flash flaming and acid digestion were both applied to successfully reduce or remove bulky floret structures while maintaining or improving germination. Flaming at 110 ± 10 °C with continuous exposure for 10 min and acid digestion concentrations of 75-80% with exposure times of 1-2.5 min were generally successful. Sub-optimal concentrations of sulphuric acid often compromised germination. Hydropriming did not improve germination outcomes when applied following flaming or acid digestion. Optimising SETs for germination, emergence and establishment in different environments, and the viability and costs of application on larger seed batches are key considerations for the implementation and upscaling of SETs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Berto
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park, WA 6005, Australia
| | - Todd E Erickson
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park, WA 6005, Australia
- Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration, School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Alison L Ritchie
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park, WA 6005, Australia
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5
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Baughman OW, Eshleman M, Griffen J, Rios R, Boyd C, Kildisheva OA, Olsen A, Cahill M, Kerby JD, Riginos C. Assessment of multiple herbicide protection seed treatments for seed-based restoration of native perennial bunchgrasses and sagebrush across multiple sites and years. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283678. [PMID: 36996261 PMCID: PMC10062626 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The invasion of exotic, annual plant species is a leading contributor to ecological degradation in drylands globally, and the use of pre-emergent herbicide to control these species is common. Pre-emergent herbicides pose challenges for seed-based restoration due to toxicity to the seeds of desired species. Herbicide protection (HP) technologies pose a potential solution by using activated carbon seed treatments to protect desirable seeds from herbicide exposure. In the sagebrush steppe ecosystem of North America, we used an adaptive small plot design over three planting years to test for effects on seeding outcomes (seedling density and size) of large and small multi-seed HP pellets, several single-seed HP coatings, and carbon banding treatments at geographically dispersed sites for several perennial bunchgrasses and the keystone perennial shrub, Wyoming big sagebrush. We also compared different methods of seed delivery and litter pre-seeding management. Seeding success was low overall, especially for sagebrush, and it was clear that other, often less predictable barriers to establishment than herbicide exposure, such as inadequate spring moisture, were strong drivers of seeding outcomes. Despite this, HP treatments were associated with higher seedling density than bare seed in multiple instances, most notably for grasses. The large HP pellet occasionally outperformed the small HP pellet, and several HP coatings performed similarly to the small pellet. Surprisingly, we did not see consistent negative effects of pre-emergent herbicide on unprotected bare seed. We conclude that HP seed treatments show some promise to improve seeding success in the presence of herbicide, but that consistent success will require further improvements to HP treatments as well as integration with other innovations and approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen W Baughman
- The Nature Conservancy of Oregon, Burns, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Magdalena Eshleman
- The Nature Conservancy of Wyoming, Lander, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Jessica Griffen
- The Nature Conservancy of Oregon, Burns, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Roxanne Rios
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Burns, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Chad Boyd
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Burns, Oregon, United States of America
| | | | - Andrew Olsen
- Intermountain West Joint Venture, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Matthew Cahill
- The Nature Conservancy, Bend, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Jay D Kerby
- The Nature Conservancy of Oregon, Burns, Oregon, United States of America
- Prineville, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Corinna Riginos
- The Nature Conservancy of Wyoming, Lander, Wyoming, United States of America
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Alfonzetti M, Doleac S, Mills CH, Gallagher RV, Tetu S. Characterizing Effects of Microbial Biostimulants and Whole-Soil Inoculums for Native Plant Revegetation. Microorganisms 2022; 11:microorganisms11010055. [PMID: 36677347 PMCID: PMC9867050 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil microbes play important roles in plant health and ecosystem functioning, however, they can often be disturbed or depleted in degraded lands. During seed-based revegetation of such sites there is often very low germination and seedling establishment success, with recruitment of beneficial microbes to the rhizosphere one potential contributor to this problem. Here we investigated whether Australian native plant species may benefit from planting seed encapsulated within extruded seed pellets amended with one of two microbe-rich products: a commercial vermicast extract biostimulant or a whole-soil inoculum from a healthy reference site of native vegetation. Two manipulative glasshouse trials assessing the performance of two Australian native plant species (Acacia parramattensis and Indigofera australis) were carried out in both unmodified field-collected soil (trial 1) and in the same soil reduced in nutrients and microbes (trial 2). Seedling emergence and growth were compared between pelleted and bare-seeded controls and analyzed alongside soil nutrient concentrations and culturable microbial community assessments. The addition of microbial amendments maintained, but did not improve upon, high levels of emergence in both plant species relative to unamended pellets. In trial 1, mean time to emergence of Acacia parramattensis seedlings was slightly shorter in both amended pellet types relative to the standard pellets, and in trial 2, whole-soil inoculum pellets showed significantly improved growth metrics. This work shows that there is potential for microbial amendments to positively affect native plant emergence and growth, however exact effects are dependent on the type of amendment, the plant species, and the characteristics of the planting site soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Alfonzetti
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Sebastien Doleac
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | | | - Rachael V. Gallagher
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
- Correspondence: (R.V.G.); (S.T.)
| | - Sasha Tetu
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Biomolecular Discovery Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
- Correspondence: (R.V.G.); (S.T.)
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7
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Zhang K, Khan Z, Yu Q, Qu Z, Liu J, Luo T, Zhu K, Bi J, Hu L, Luo L. Biochar Coating Is a Sustainable and Economical Approach to Promote Seed Coating Technology, Seed Germination, Plant Performance, and Soil Health. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2864. [PMID: 36365318 PMCID: PMC9657824 DOI: 10.3390/plants11212864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Seed germination and stand establishment are the first steps of crop growth and development. However, low seed vigor, improper seedbed preparation, unfavorable climate, and the occurrence of pests and diseases reduces the germination rate and seedling quality, resulting in insufficient crop populations and undesirable plant growth. Seed coating is an effective method that is being developed and applied in modern agriculture. It has many functions, such as improving seed vigor, promoting seedling growth, and reducing the occurrence of pests and diseases. Yet, during seed coating procedures, several factors, such as difficulty in biodegradation of coating materials and hindrance in the application of chemical ingredients to seeds, force us to explore reliable and efficient coating formulations. Biochar, as a novel material, may be expected to enhance seed germination and seedling establishment, simultaneously ensuring agricultural sustainability, environment, and food safety. Recently, biochar-based seed coating has gained much interest due to biochar possessing high porosity and water holding capacity, as well as wealthy nutrients, and has been proven to be a beneficial agent in seed coating formulations. This review presents an extensive overview on the history, methods, and coating agents of seed coating. Additionally, biochar, as a promising seed coating agent, is also synthesized on its physico-chemical properties. Combining seed coating with biochar, we discussed in detail the agricultural applications of biochar-based seed coating, such as the promotion of seed germination and stand establishment, the improvement of plant growth and nutrition, suitable carriers for microbial inoculants, and increase in herbicide selectivity. Therefore, this paper could be a good source of information on the current advance and future perspectives of biochar-based seed coating for modern agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangkang Zhang
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, No. 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai 201106, China
| | - Zaid Khan
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Qing Yu
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, No. 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai 201106, China
| | - Zhaojie Qu
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jiahuan Liu
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Tao Luo
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Kunmiao Zhu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Nutritional Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Junguo Bi
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, No. 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai 201106, China
| | - Liyong Hu
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lijun Luo
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, No. 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai 201106, China
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Brown VS, Ritchie AL, Stevens JC, Hanks TD, Hobbs RJ, Erickson TE. Seed positioning in extruded pellets: Does it matter? Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa S Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions 2 Kattidj Close Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Alison L Ritchie
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions 2 Kattidj Close Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Jason C Stevens
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions 2 Kattidj Close Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Taylah D Hanks
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions 2 Kattidj Close Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Richard J Hobbs
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
| | - Todd E Erickson
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions 2 Kattidj Close Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
- Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration, School of Agriculture and Environment The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
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9
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Terry TJ, Hardegree SP, Madsen MD, Roundy BA, St. Clair SB. Trends in soil microclimate and modeled impacts on germination timing in the sagebrush steppe. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tyson J. Terry
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USA
| | | | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USA
| | - Bruce A. Roundy
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USA
| | - Samuel B. St. Clair
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo Utah USA
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10
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Rupawalla Z, Shaw L, Ross IL, Schmidt S, Hankamer B, Wolf J. Germination screen for microalgae-generated plant growth biostimulants. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2022.102784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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11
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Svejcar LN, Kerby JD, Svejcar TJ, Mackey B, Boyd CS, Baughman OW, Madsen MD, Davies KW. Plant recruitment in drylands varies by site, year and seeding technique. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren N. Svejcar
- Rangeland scientists, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Services (ARS), Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center Burns OR 97720 USA
| | - Jay D. Kerby
- Southeast Oregon Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy Burns OR 97720 USA
- Current affiliation: Unaffiliated, 4 South Street, Pukerau, 9772 New Zealand
| | - Tony J. Svejcar
- Rangeland scientists, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Services (ARS), Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center Burns OR 97720 USA
| | - Bruce Mackey
- Statistician, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Services (ARS), Pacific West Area office Albany CA 94710 USA
| | - Chad S. Boyd
- Rangeland scientists, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Services (ARS), Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center Burns OR 97720 USA
| | | | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Brigham Young University, Plant and Wildlife Sciences, 5048 LSB Provo UT 84602 USA
| | - Kirk W. Davies
- Rangeland scientists, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Services (ARS), Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center Burns OR 97720 USA
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12
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Copeland SM, Bradford JB, Hardegree SP, Schlaepfer DR, Badik KJ. Management and environmental factors associated with simulated restoration seeding barriers in sagebrush steppe. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stella M. Copeland
- USDA−Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, 67826‐A Hwy 205 Burns OR 97720 USA
| | - John B. Bradford
- US Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 2255 N. Gemini Dr Flagstaff AZ 86001 USA
| | - Stuart P. Hardegree
- USDA‐Agricultural Research Service, Northwest Watershed Research Center, 251 Front St., Suite 400 Boise ID 83702 USA
| | - Daniel R. Schlaepfer
- US Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 2255 N. Gemini Dr Flagstaff AZ 86001 USA
- Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes Northern Arizona University, PO Box 6077 Flagstaff AZ 86011 USA
| | - Kevin J. Badik
- The Nature Conservancy 1 E. 1st St. Suite 1007 Reno NV 89501 USA
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13
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Turner SR, Cross AT, Just M, Newton V, Pedrini S, Tomlinson S, Dixon K. Restoration seedbanks for mined land restoration. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shane R. Turner
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley 6102 Western Australia Australia
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - Adam T. Cross
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley 6102 Western Australia Australia
- EcoHealth Network, 1330 Beacon St, Suite 355a Brookline MA 02446 United States
| | - Michael Just
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley 6102 Western Australia Australia
| | - Vern Newton
- Hanson Australia, Level 1, 35 Great Eastern Hwy, Rivervale WA 6103 Australia
| | - Simone Pedrini
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley 6102 Western Australia Australia
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Sean Tomlinson
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences University of Adelaide, North Terrace Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
| | - Kingsley Dixon
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley 6102 Western Australia Australia
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Bentley WA 6102 Australia
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Bailey TG, Harrison PA, Hanusch Y, Ranyard C, Hooghkirk C, J. Davidson N, Pinkard EA, Potts BM. Investigating constraints on direct seeding for native revegetation in the Tasmanian Midlands. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Brown VS, Erickson TE, Merritt DJ, Madsen MD, Hobbs RJ, Ritchie AL. A global review of seed enhancement technology use to inform improved applications in restoration. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 798:149096. [PMID: 34340083 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Seed-based restoration often experiences poor success due to a range of edaphic and biotic issues. Seed enhancement technologies (SETs) are a novel approach that can alleviate these pressures and improve restoration success. Broadly, SETs have been reviewed for agricultural and horticultural purposes, for specific types of SETs such as coating or priming, or for focal ecosystems. However, information is lacking for SETs within a restoration focused context, and how they are being used to alleviate certain barriers. This review aimed to synthesise the current literature on SETs to understand what SETs are being tested, in which sectors and locations they are being tested, what issues are faced within restoration using SETs, and how SETs are being used to approach these issues. Priming was highlighted as the main SET investigated. Inoculation, pesticide application and magnetic fields were also commonly tested (SETs we termed 'prospective techniques'). SET research mainly occurred in the agricultural sector. More recently, other sectors, such as restoration and rangeland management, have increased efforts into SET research. The restoration sector has focused on extruded pelleting and coating (with activated carbon), in combination with herbicide application, to overcome invasive species, and coating with certain additives to alleviate edaphic issues. Other sectors outside restoration were largely focused on evaluating priming for overcoming these barriers. The majority of priming research has been completed on crop species and differences between these species and ecosystems must be considered in future restoration efforts that focus on native seed use. Generally, SETs require further refinement, including identifying ideal additives and their optimum concentrations to target certain issues, refining formulations for coating and extruded pelleting and developing flash flaming. A bet-hedging approach using multiple SETs and/or combinations of SETs may be advantageous in overcoming a wide range of barriers in seed-based restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa S Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, 2 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia.
| | - Todd E Erickson
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, 2 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia
| | - David J Merritt
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, 2 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia
| | - Matthew D Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, 701 East University Parkway, Provo, UT 84602, United States of America
| | - Richard J Hobbs
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Alison L Ritchie
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, 2 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia
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Raghurama M, Sankaran M. Restoring tropical forest–grassland mosaics invaded by woody exotics. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manaswi Raghurama
- Ecology & Evolution Group, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Bengaluru Karnataka 560065 India
| | - Mahesh Sankaran
- Ecology & Evolution Group, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Bengaluru Karnataka 560065 India
- School of Biology University of Leeds Leeds U.K
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Zhong H, Lambers H, Wong WS, Dixon KW, Stevens JC, Cross AT. Initiating pedogenesis of magnetite tailings using Lupinus angustifolius (narrow-leaf lupin) as an ecological engineer to promote native plant establishment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147622. [PMID: 34034171 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Mine tailings pose physical and chemical challenges for plant establishment. Our aim was to learn from natural processes in long-term soil and ecosystem development to use tailings as novel parent materials and pioneer ecological-engineering plant species to ameliorate extreme conditions of tailings, and facilitate the establishment of subsequent native plants. A glasshouse trial was conducted using magnetite tailings containing various amendments, investigating the potential of the nitrogen (N)-fixing, non-native pioneer species Lupinus angustifolius (Fabaceae), narrow-leaf lupin, as a potential eco-engineer to promote soil formation processes, and whether amendment type or the presence of pioneer vegetation improved the subsequent establishment and growth of 40 species of native plants. We found that L. angustifolius eco-engineered the mine tailings, by enhancing the N status of tailings and mobilising primary mineral P into organic P via a carboxylate-exudation strategy, thereby enabling subsequent growth of native species. The substantial increases of the soil organic P (from ca. 10 to 150 mg kg-1) pool and organo-bound Al minerals (from 0 to 2 mg kg-1) were particularly evident, indicating the initiation of pedogenesis in mine tailings. Our findings suggest that the annual legume L. angustifolius has eco-engineering potential on mine tailings through N-fixation and P-mobilisation, promoting the subsequent growth of native plants. We proposed Daviesia (Fabaceae) species as native species alternatives for the non-native L. angustifolius in the Western Australian context. Our findings are important for restoration practitioners tasked with mine site restoration in terms of screening pioneer eco-engineering plant species, where native plants are required to restore after mine operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Zhong
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia.
| | - Hans Lambers
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Wei San Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Kingsley W Dixon
- Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Jason C Stevens
- Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia; Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, 2 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, WA 6005, Australia
| | - Adam T Cross
- EcoHealth Network, 1330 Beacon St, Suite 355a, Brookline, MA 02446, United States; School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia.
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Rowe HI, Sprague TA, Ball B, Langenfeld D, Rivera L. Restoring closed trails in the Sonoran Desert: interactions of seed timing, seed source, and ripping. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Helen I. Rowe
- Parsons Field Institute McDowell Sonoran Conservancy 7729 East Greenway Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale AZ 85260 U.S.A
- School of Earth and Sustainability Northern Arizona University Flagstaff AZ 86011 U.S.A
| | - Tiffany A. Sprague
- Parsons Field Institute McDowell Sonoran Conservancy 7729 East Greenway Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale AZ 85260 U.S.A
| | - Becky Ball
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences Arizona State University at the West Campus 4701 West Thunderbird Road Glendale AZ 85306 U.S.A
| | - Debbie Langenfeld
- Citizen Science Program McDowell Sonoran Conservancy 7729 East Greenway Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale AZ 85260 U.S.A
| | - Lisa Rivera
- Citizen Science Program McDowell Sonoran Conservancy 7729 East Greenway Road, Suite 100 Scottsdale AZ 85260 U.S.A
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Larson JE, Ebinger KR, Suding KN. Water the odds? Spring rainfall and emergence‐related seed traits drive plant recruitment. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julie E. Larson
- Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder Boulder CO USA
- Inst. of Arctic and Alpine Research, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder Boulder CO USA
| | - Kathleen R. Ebinger
- Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder Boulder CO USA
- Master of Environmental Management Program, School of the Environment, Yale Univ. New Haven CT USA
| | - Katharine N. Suding
- Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder Boulder CO USA
- Inst. of Arctic and Alpine Research, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder Boulder CO USA
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20
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Pearson DE, Ortega YK, Cimino HE, Mummy DL, Ramsey PW. Does active plant restoration passively restore native fauna community structure and function? Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dean E. Pearson
- Rocky Mountain Research Station USDA Forest Service 800 East Beckwith Avenue, Missoula MT 59801 U.S.A
- Division of Biological Sciences University of Montana Missoula MT 59801 U.S.A
| | - Yvette K. Ortega
- Rocky Mountain Research Station USDA Forest Service 800 East Beckwith Avenue, Missoula MT 59801 U.S.A
| | - Hillary E. Cimino
- Division of Biological Sciences University of Montana Missoula MT 59801 U.S.A
| | - Daniel L. Mummy
- MPG Ranch 19400 Lower Woodchuck Road, Florence MT 59833 U.S.A
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Davies KW, Leger EA, Boyd CS, Hallett LM. Living with exotic annual grasses in the sagebrush ecosystem. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 288:112417. [PMID: 33765575 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Exotic annual grasses dominate millions of hectares and increase fire frequency in the sagebrush ecosystem of North America. This devastating invasion is so costly and challenging to revegetate with perennial vegetation that restoration efforts need to be prioritized and strategically implemented. Management needs to break the annual grass-fire cycle and prevent invasion of new areas, while research is needed to improve restoration success. Under current land management and climate regimes, extensive areas will remain annual grasslands, because of their expansiveness and the low probability of transition to perennial dominance. We propose referring to these communities as Intermountain West Annual Grasslands, recognizing that they are a stable state and require different management goals and objectives than perennial-dominated systems. We need to learn to live with annual grasslands, reducing their costs and increasing benefits derived from them, at the same time maintaining landscape-level plant diversity that could allow transition to perennial dominance under future scenarios. To accomplish this task, we propose a framework and research to improve our ability to live with exotic annual grasses in the sagebrush biome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk W Davies
- Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, 67826-A Hwy 205, Burns, OR, 97720, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A Leger
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia St., Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Chad S Boyd
- Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, 67826-A Hwy 205, Burns, OR, 97720, USA
| | - Lauren M Hallett
- Department of Biology and Environmental Studies Program, University of Oregon, 12010 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97405, USA
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Copeland SM, Baughman OW, Boyd CS, Davies KW, Kerby J, Kildisheva OA, Svejcar T. Improving restoration success through a precision restoration framework. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stella M. Copeland
- U.S. Department of Agriculture − Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | | | - Chad S. Boyd
- U.S. Department of Agriculture − Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Kirk W. Davies
- U.S. Department of Agriculture − Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Jay Kerby
- The Nature Conservancy 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
- Unaffiliated 4 South Street Pukerau 9772 New Zealand
| | - Olga A. Kildisheva
- The Nature Conservancy Suite 104, 999 Disk Drive Bend Oregon 97702 U.S.A
| | - Tony Svejcar
- U.S. Department of Agriculture − Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205, Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
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23
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Mozelewski TG, Scheller RM. Forecasting for intended consequences. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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Stock E, Standish RJ, Muñoz-Rojas M, Bell RW, Erickson TE. Field-Deployed Extruded Seed Pellets Show Promise for Perennial Grass Establishment in Arid Zone Mine Rehabilitation. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.576125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Current methods of mine rehabilitation in the arid zone have a high failure rate at seedling emergence largely due to limited availability of topsoil and low water-holding capacity of alternative growth substrates such as mining overburden and tailings. Further, seedlings have consistently failed to emerge from seeds sown on the soil surface using traditional broadcasting methods. Seed pellets, formed by extruding soil mixtures and seeds into pellets, can potentially increase soil water uptake through enhanced soil-seed contact and thereby improve seedling emergence. We tested an extruded seed pelleting method in a three-factor field experiment (i.e., different pellet-soil mixtures, organic amendments, and simulated rainfall regimes) in north-western Australia. Given the observed lack of seedling emergence from broadcast seeds, the aims of the experiment were to assess: (i) the use of pellets to promote native seedling emergence and establishment and; (ii) the soil physico-chemical and microbiological changes that occur with this method of rehabilitation. The effects of pellet-soil mixtures, organic amendment, and rainfall regime on seedling emergence and survival of three native plant species suggest trade-offs among responses. Pellets made with a 1:1 blend of topsoil and a loamy-sand waste material had the highest seedling emergence, while 100% topsoil pellets had lower emergence probably because of hardsetting. Triodia pungens (a native grass) survived to the end of the experiment while Indigofera monophylla and Acacia inaequilatera (native shrubs) emerged but did not survive. Adding an organic amendment in the extruded pellet inhibited Triodia seedling emergence but increased soil microbial activity. Overall, extruded pellets made from a 1:1 blend showed promise for the establishment of Triodia seeds and beneficially, incorporates mine waste overburden and lesser amounts of topsoil. Further research is needed to improve pelleting production and to test the applicability of the method at scale, for different species and other ecosystem types.
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Zanetti M, Dayrell RLC, Wardil MV, Damasceno A, Fernandes T, Castilho A, Santos FMG, Silveira FAO. Seed Functional Traits Provide Support for Ecological Restoration and ex situ Conservation in the Threatened Amazon Ironstone Outcrop Flora. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:599496. [PMID: 33424895 PMCID: PMC7793850 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.599496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Cangas (ironstone outcrops) host a specialized flora, characterized by high degree of edaphic endemism and an apparent lack of natural history knowledge of its flora. Due to intense pressure from iron ore mining this ecosystem is under threat and in need of restoration. We studied seed functional traits that are relevant for restoration, translocation and ex situ conservation in 48 species from cangas in eastern Amazon. Were determined the thermal niche breadth, classified seed dormancy and determined methods to overcome it, determined the effect of seed storage on germination, tested the association between germination traits and functional groups, and tested whether seed traits are phylogenetically conserved. We found a broad interspecific variation in most seed traits, except for seed water content. Large interspecific variation in the temperature niche breadth was found among the studied species, but only four species, showed optimum germination at high temperatures of 35-40°C, despite high temperatures under natural conditions. Only 35% of the studied species produced dormant seeds. Mechanical scarification was effective in overcoming physical dormancy and application of gibberellic acid was effective in overcoming physiological dormancy in five species. For the 29 species that seeds were stored for 24 months, 76% showed decreases in the germination percentage. The weak association between germination traits and life-history traits indicate that no particular plant functional type requires specific methods for seed-based translocations. Exceptions were the lianas which showed relatively larger seeds compared to the other growth-forms. Dormancy was the only trait strongly related to phylogeny, suggesting that phylogenetic relatedness may not be a good predictor of regeneration from seeds in cangas. Our study provides support to better manage seed sourcing, use, storage and enhancement techniques with expected reduced costs and increased seedling establishment success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcilio Zanetti
- Bioma meio Ambiente LTDA, Nova Lima, Brazil
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Roberta L. C. Dayrell
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Mariana V. Wardil
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Amplo Engenharia e Gestão de Projetos LTDA, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Damasceno
- VALE S/A. Environmental Licensing Management, Mina de Águas Claras, Nova Lima, Brazil
| | - Tais Fernandes
- VALE S/A. Environmental Licensing Management, Mina de Águas Claras, Nova Lima, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Castilho
- VALE S/A. Environmental Licensing Management, Mina de Águas Claras, Nova Lima, Brazil
| | - Fernando M. G. Santos
- VALE S/A. Environmental Licensing Management, Mina de Águas Claras, Nova Lima, Brazil
| | - Fernando A. O. Silveira
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Berto B, Erickson TE, Ritchie AL. Flash Flaming Improves Flow Properties of Mediterranean Grasses Used for Direct Seeding. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9121699. [PMID: 33287254 PMCID: PMC7761630 DOI: 10.3390/plants9121699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The demand for native grasses is increasing in restoration and agriculture, though their use is often limited due to seed handling challenges. The external structures surrounding the grass seed (i.e., the floret) possess hairs, awns, and appendages which create blockages in conventional seeding equipment. Flash flaming is a patented technology which allows precision exposure of floret material to flames to singe off hairs and appendages. We used two grasses native to Mediterranean ecosystems of Western Australia (Amphipogon turbinatus R.Br. and Neurachne alopecuoidea R.Br.) to evaluate the effects of different flaming techniques on flow properties and germination. Flaming significantly improved flowability in both species and had both neutral (A. turbinatus) and negative (N. alopecuroidea) effects on germination. Flaming torch size influenced germination, though flaming temperature (low or high) and whether this was kept constant or alternating had no effect. The best evaluation of germination following flaming was achieved by cleaning flamed florets to seed and/or germinating in the presence of karrikinolide (KAR1) or gibberellic acid (GA3). We suggest that flaming settings (particularly torch size) require species-specific evaluation and optimisation. Removing seeds from flamed florets and germination testing this material in the presence of stimulants may be a useful protocol for future flaming evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Berto
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia; (T.E.E.); (A.L.R.)
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park 6005, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Todd E. Erickson
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia; (T.E.E.); (A.L.R.)
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park 6005, Australia
| | - Alison L. Ritchie
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia; (T.E.E.); (A.L.R.)
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park 6005, Australia
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Using native grass seeding and targeted spring grazing to reduce low-level Bromus tectorum invasion on the Colorado Plateau. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02397-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractReducing invasive species abundance near the leading edge of invasions is important for maintaining diverse, high-functioning ecosystems, but it can be hard to remove invasives present at low levels within desirable plant communities. Focusing on an invasive annual grass, Bromus tectorum, near the edge of its range in the southern Colorado Plateau, we used an observational study to ask what plant community components were associated with lower levels of B. tectorum, and a manipulative experiment to ask if targeted spring grazing or seeding native competitors were effective for reversing low-level invasion. The observational study found that higher C3 perennial grass cover and shrub cover were associated with lower B. tectorum abundance, and adult Poa fendleriana and Pascopyrum smithii plants had the fewest B. tectorum individuals within 50 cm. Our manipulative experiment used a randomized, hierarchical design to test the relative effectiveness of seeding native perennial grasses using different spatial planting arrangements, seeding rates, seed enhancements, and targeted spring grazing. Two years after seeding, seeded species establishment was 36% greater in high seed rate than unseeded plots, and high rate plots also had lower B. tectorum cover. One season after targeted spring grazing (a single, 2-week spring-grazing treatment 17 months post-seeding), grazed paddocks displayed trends towards higher seeded species densities and lower B. tectorum biomass in certain seeding treatments, compared to ungrazed paddocks. Results suggest high rate native grass seedings may be effective and short-duration spring grazing should be further evaluated as potential tools for preventing ecosystem conversion along invasion fronts.
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Berto B, Ritchie AL, Erickson TE. Seed‐enhancement combinations improve germination and handling in two dominant native grass species. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Berto
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Kings Park Science Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Alison L. Ritchie
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Kings Park Science Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Todd E. Erickson
- School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Kings Park Science Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
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Lessons Learned 5+ Years After Transplanting and Seeding Restoration Sites in the Sonoran Desert, U.S.A. AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 2020. [DOI: 10.1674/0003-0031-184.2.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Pyke DA, Shriver RK, Arkle RS, Pilliod DS, Aldridge CL, Coates PS, Germino MJ, Heinrichs JA, Ricca MA, Shaff SE. Postfire growth of seeded and planted big sagebrush—strategic designs for restoring greater sage‐grouse nesting habitat. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David A. Pyke
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 3200 SW Jefferson Way Corvallis OR 97331 USA
| | - Robert K. Shriver
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center 2255 N Gemini Road Flagstaff AZ 86001 USA
- University of Nevada Reno, Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science, 1664 N. Virginia St Reno NV 89557 USA
| | - Robert S. Arkle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 970 S Lusk St Boise ID 83706 USA
| | - David S. Pilliod
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 970 S Lusk St Boise ID 83706 USA
| | - Cameron L. Aldridge
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C Fort Collins CO 80526‐8118 USA
| | - Peter S. Coates
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D Dixon CA 95620 USA
| | - Matthew J. Germino
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 970 S Lusk St Boise ID 83706 USA
| | - Julie A. Heinrichs
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University; in cooperation with U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C Fort Collins CO 80526‐8118 USA
| | - Mark A. Ricca
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D Dixon CA 95620 USA
| | - Scott E. Shaff
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 3200 SW Jefferson Way Corvallis OR 97331 USA
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Román JR, Chilton AM, Cantón Y, Muñoz-Rojas M. Assessing the viability of cyanobacteria pellets for application in arid land restoration. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 270:110795. [PMID: 32721290 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The role of cyanobacteria from soil biocrusts in restoring degraded land is gaining interest in recent years because of their critical role in enhancing soil fertility and preventing erosion. However, soil restoration through cyanobacterial inoculation remains a challenge for large-scale restoration efforts and new methodologies for effective cyanobacterial application need to be developed. Here, we propose a bioenvironmental approach to inoculate soils with pelletized cyanobacteria from soil biocrusts. Fresh cultures of three soil native cyanobacteria strains from two representative N-fixing genera (Nostoc and Scytonema) and a non-heterocystous filamentous genus (Leptolyngbya) were added into a substrate composed of commercial bentonite powder and sand (1:10 wt ratio) and extruded into pellets. Then, in two multifactorial microcosm experiments under glasshouse conditions, we evaluated (i) the survival and establishment over time of the cyanobacteria encapsulated in pellets, and ii) the viability of pelletized cyanobacteria after drying and storing for 30 d, on soils from three arid regions in Australia. Our results showed that pellets can dissolve completely and spread out in all treatments. Scytonema and the consortium of the three cyanobacteria species showed significant (P < 0.001) deeper CR680 peaks, higher chlorophyll a contents and lower albedo compared to the other inoculation treatments. Storing the pellets for 30 d significantly affected the viability of the cyanobacteria inoculum with reductions of approximately 50% in chlorophyll a content (a proxy for cyanobacteria biomass). Overall, our results showed that some cyanobacteria species can be successfully incorporated into extruded pellets and survive on degraded soils. This technology opens a wide range of opportunities for application in large scale restoration programs although further testing and refining through field trials is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Román
- Agronomy Department, University of Almería, Almería, Spain; Centro de Investigación de Colecciones Científicas de La Universidad de Almería (CECOUAL), University of Almería, Almería, Spain.
| | - A M Chilton
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, 2052, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Y Cantón
- Agronomy Department, University of Almería, Almería, Spain; Centro de Investigación de Colecciones Científicas de La Universidad de Almería (CECOUAL), University of Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - M Muñoz-Rojas
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, 2052, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia; Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia.
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Pedrini S, Balestrazzi A, Madsen MD, Bhalsing K, Hardegree SP, Dixon KW, Kildisheva OA. Seed enhancement: getting seeds restoration‐ready. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Pedrini
- ARC‐Centre for Mine Site Restoration, Department of Environment and AgricultureCurtin University Kent Street Bentley 6102 Australia
| | - Alma Balestrazzi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘L. Spallanzani’University of Pavia via Ferrata 1 27100 Pavia Italy
| | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Khiraj Bhalsing
- ARC‐Centre for Mine Site Restoration, Department of Environment and AgricultureCurtin University Kent Street Bentley 6102 Australia
| | | | - Kingsley W. Dixon
- ARC‐Centre for Mine Site Restoration, Department of Environment and AgricultureCurtin University Kent Street Bentley 6102 Australia
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Taylor JB, Cass KL, Armond DN, Madsen MD, Pearson DE, St. Clair SB. Deterring rodent seed‐predation using seed‐coating technologies. Restor Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Justin B. Taylor
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Kristina L. Cass
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - David N. Armond
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Dean E. Pearson
- Rocky Mountain Research Station USDA Forest Service 800 East Beckwith Avenue Missoula MT 59801 U.S.A
- Division of Biological Sciences University of Montana Missoula MT 59812 U.S.A
| | - Samuel B. St. Clair
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
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Hamerlynck EP, Denton EM, Davies KW, Boyd CS. Photosynthetic regulation in seed heads and flag leaves of sagebrush-steppe bunchgrasses. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 7:coz112. [PMID: 31949896 PMCID: PMC6956783 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coz112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Native sagebrush-steppe bunchgrass populations are threatened by the spread and dominance of exotic invasive annual grasses, in part due to low, episodic seed production. In contrast, the widespread exotic bunchgrass, crested wheatgrass, readily produces viable seed cohorts. The mechanisms underlying these differences are unclear. To address this, we measured seed head specific mass (g m-2) and net photosynthetic assimilation (A net) as a function of internal [CO2] (A/Ci curves) in pre- and post-anthesis seed heads and flag leaves of crested wheatgrass and four native bunchgrasses to determine if differences in allocation and photosynthetic characteristics of seed heads was consistent with differential reproductive success. Crested wheatgrass seed heads had 2-fold greater specific mass compared to the native grasses, concurrent with greater CO2-saturated photosynthesis (A max), mesophyll carboxylation efficiency (CE), and higher intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUE i ; A net/stomatal conductance (g s)), but with similar relative stomatal limitations to photosynthesis (RSL). Post-anthesis seed head A max, CE, RSL and g s decreased in native grasses, while crested wheatgrass RSL decreased and CE increased dramatically, likely due to tighter coordination between seed head structural changes with stomatal and biochemical dynamics. Our results suggest native sagebrush-steppe bunchgrasses have greater stomatal and structural constraints to reproductive photosynthesis, while the exotic grass has evolved seed heads functionally similar to leaves. This study shows elucidating reproduction-related ecophysiological mechanisms provide understanding of plant attributes that underlie restoration success and could help guide the development of native plant materials with functional attributes needed to overcome demographic bottlenecks that limit their restoration into degraded sagebrush-steppe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik P Hamerlynck
- USDA-ARS, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, 67826 Highway 205, Burns, OR 97720, USA
| | - Elsie M Denton
- USDA-ARS, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, 67826 Highway 205, Burns, OR 97720, USA
| | - Kirk W Davies
- USDA-ARS, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, 67826 Highway 205, Burns, OR 97720, USA
| | - Chad S Boyd
- USDA-ARS, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, 67826 Highway 205, Burns, OR 97720, USA
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35
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Chua M, Erickson TE, Merritt DJ, Chilton AM, Ooi MKJ, Muñoz‐Rojas M. Bio‐priming seeds with cyanobacteria: effects on native plant growth and soil properties. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Chua
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia Crawley WA 6009 Australia
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Kings Park Science Kings Park WA 6005 Australia
| | - Todd E. Erickson
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia Crawley WA 6009 Australia
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Kings Park Science Kings Park WA 6005 Australia
| | - David J. Merritt
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia Crawley WA 6009 Australia
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Kings Park Science Kings Park WA 6005 Australia
| | - Angela M. Chilton
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Mark K. J. Ooi
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Miriam Muñoz‐Rojas
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia Crawley WA 6009 Australia
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Kings Park Science Kings Park WA 6005 Australia
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
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36
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Gornish E, Arnold H, Fehmi J. Review of seed pelletizing strategies for arid land restoration. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elise Gornish
- School of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 U.S.A
| | - Hannah Arnold
- School of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 U.S.A
| | - Jeffrey Fehmi
- School of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 U.S.A
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37
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Masarei M, Guzzomi AL, Merritt DJ, Erickson TE. Factoring restoration practitioner perceptions into future design of mechanical direct seeders for native seeds. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Monte Masarei
- School of EngineeringThe University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
| | - Andrew L. Guzzomi
- School of EngineeringThe University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
| | - David J. Merritt
- Kings Park Science, Department of BiodiversityConservation and Attractions Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
| | - Todd E. Erickson
- Kings Park Science, Department of BiodiversityConservation and Attractions Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
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38
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Wilder L, Veblen KE, Schupp EW, Monaco TA. Seedling Emergence Patterns of Six Restoration Species in Soils from Two Big Sagebrush Plant Communities. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2019. [DOI: 10.3398/064.079.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lacey Wilder
- Wildland Resources Department and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322
| | - Kari E. Veblen
- Wildland Resources Department and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322
| | - Eugene W. Schupp
- Wildland Resources Department and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322
| | - Thomas A. Monaco
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Forage and Range Research Lab, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322
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39
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Richardson WC, Badrakh T, Roundy BA, Aanderud ZT, Petersen SL, Allen PS, Whitaker DR, Madsen MD. Influence of an abscisic acid (ABA) seed coating on seed germination rate and timing of Bluebunch Wheatgrass. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:7438-7447. [PMID: 31346414 PMCID: PMC6635955 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Semi-arid rangeland degradation is a reoccurring issue throughout the world. In the Great Basin of North America, seeds sown in the fall to restore degraded sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) steppe plant communities may experience high mortality in winter due to exposure of seedlings to freezing temperatures and other stressors. Delaying germination until early spring when conditions are more suitable for growth may increase survival. We evaluated the use of BioNik™ (Valent BioSciences LLC) abscisic acid (ABA) to delay germination of bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata). Seed was either left untreated or coated at five separate rates of ABA ranging from 0.25 to 6.0 g 100 g-1 of seed. Seeds were incubated at five separate constant temperatures from 5 to 25°C. From the resultant germination data, we developed quadratic thermal accumulation models for each treatment and applied them to 4 years of historic soil moisture and temperature data across six sagebrush steppe sites to predict germination timing. Total germination percentage remained similar across all temperatures except at 25°C, where high ABA rates had slightly lower values. All ABA doses delayed germination, with the greatest delays at 5-10°C. For example, the time required for 50% of the seeds to germinate at 5°C was increased by 16-46 d, depending on the amount of ABA applied. Seed germination models predicted that the majority of untreated seed would germinate 5-11 weeks after a 15 October simulated planting date. In contrast, seeds treated with ABA were predicted to delay germination to late winter or early spring. These results indicate that ABA coatings may delay germination of fall planted seed until conditions are more suitable for plant survival and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Turmandakh Badrakh
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
| | - Bruce A. Roundy
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
| | | | - Steven L. Petersen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
| | - Phil S. Allen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
| | - Dallin R. Whitaker
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
| | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
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40
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Kildisheva OA, Erickson TE, Madsen MD, Dixon KW, Merritt DJ. Seed germination and dormancy traits of forbs and shrubs important for restoration of North American dryland ecosystems. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2019; 21:458-469. [PMID: 30098068 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In degraded dryland systems, native plant community re-establishment following disturbance is almost exclusively carried out using seeds, but these efforts commonly fail. Much of this failure can be attributed to the limited understanding of seed dormancy and germination traits. We undertook a systematic classification of seed dormancy of 26 species of annual and perennial forbs and shrubs that represent key, dominant genera used in restoration of the Great Basin ecosystem in the western United States. We examined germination across a wide thermal profile to depict species-specific characteristics and assessed the potential of gibberellic acid (GA3 ) and karrikinolide (KAR1 ) to expand the thermal germination envelope of fresh seeds. Of the tested species, 81% produce seeds that are dormant at maturity. The largest proportion (62%) exhibited physiological (PD), followed by physical (PY, 8%), combinational (PY + PD, 8%) and morphophysiological (MPD, 4%) dormancy classes. The effects of chemical stimulants were temperature- and species-mediated. In general, mean germination across the thermal profile was improved by GA3 and KAR1 for 11 and five species, respectively. We detected a strong germination response to temperature in freshly collected seeds of 20 species. Temperatures below 10 °C limited the germination of all except Agoseris heterophylla, suggesting that in their dormant state, the majority of these species are thermally restricted. Our findings demonstrate the utility of dormancy classification as a foundation for understanding the critical regenerative traits in these ecologically important species and highlight its importance in restoration planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- O A Kildisheva
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL, USA
| | - T E Erickson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park, WA, Australia
| | - M D Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - K W Dixon
- Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - D J Merritt
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kings Park, WA, Australia
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41
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Hoose BW, Call RS, Bates TH, Anderson RM, Roundy BA, Madsen MD. Seed conglomeration: a disruptive innovation to address restoration challenges associated with small‐seeded species. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin W. Hoose
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Ryan S. Call
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Thomas H. Bates
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Rhett M. Anderson
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Bruce A. Roundy
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
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42
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Clenet DR, Davies KW, Johnson DD, Kerby JD. Native seeds incorporated into activated carbon pods applied concurrently with indaziflam: a new strategy for restoring annual-invaded communities? Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kirk W. Davies
- USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center; Oregon State University; Burns Oregon U.S.A
| | | | - Jay D. Kerby
- Southeast Oregon Sagebrush Steppe; Nature Conservancy
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43
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Pawlicki AA, Borodinov N, Giri N, Moore S, Brown C, Belianinov A, Ievlev AV, Ovchinnikova OS. Multimodal Chemical Imaging for Linking Adhesion with Local Chemistry in Agrochemical Multicomponent Polymeric Coatings. Anal Chem 2019; 91:2791-2796. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alison A. Pawlicki
- The Bredesen Center, University of Tennessee, 821 Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
- The Institute for Functional Imaging of Materials, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Nikolay Borodinov
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
- The Institute for Functional Imaging of Materials, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Nicola Giri
- Syngenta Crop Protection, 410 Swing Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27409, United States
| | - Sam Moore
- Syngenta Crop Protection, 410 Swing Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27409, United States
| | - Chance Brown
- The Bredesen Center, University of Tennessee, 821 Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
- The Institute for Functional Imaging of Materials, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Alex Belianinov
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
- The Institute for Functional Imaging of Materials, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Anton V. Ievlev
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
- The Institute for Functional Imaging of Materials, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Olga S. Ovchinnikova
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
- The Institute for Functional Imaging of Materials, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
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44
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Brown VS, Ritchie AL, Stevens JC, Harris RJ, Madsen MD, Erickson TE. Protecting direct seeded grasses from herbicide application: can new extruded pellet formulations be used in restoring natural plant communities? Restor Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa S. Brown
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin University Bentley Western Australia Australia
| | - Alison L. Ritchie
- Kings Park ScienceDepartment of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Western Australia Australia
| | - Jason C. Stevens
- Kings Park ScienceDepartment of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Western Australia Australia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
| | - Richard J. Harris
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin University Bentley Western Australia Australia
| | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young University Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
| | - Todd E. Erickson
- Kings Park ScienceDepartment of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions Western Australia Australia
- School of Biological SciencesThe University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia Australia
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45
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Richardson WC, Whitaker DR, Sant KP, Barney NS, Call RS, Roundy BA, Aanderud ZT, Madsen MD. Use of auto-germ to model germination timing in the sagebrush-steppe. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:11533-11542. [PMID: 30598754 PMCID: PMC6303710 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Germination timing has a strong influence on direct seeding efforts, and therefore is a closely tracked demographic stage in a wide variety of wildland and agricultural settings. Predictive seed germination models, based on soil moisture and temperature data in the seed zone are an efficient method of estimating germination timing. We utilized Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to create Auto-Germ, which is an Excel workbook that allows a user to estimate field germination timing based on wet-thermal accumulation models and field temperature and soil moisture data. To demonstrate the capabilities of Auto-Germ, we calculated various germination indices and modeled germination timing for 11 different species, across 6 years, and 10 Artemisia-steppe sites in the Great Basin of North America to identify the planting date required for 50% or more of the simulated population to germinate in spring (1 March or later), which is when conditions are predicted to be more conducive for plant establishment. Both between and within the species, germination models indicated that there was high temporal and spatial variability in the planting date required for spring germination to occur. However, some general trends were identified, with species falling roughly into three categories, where seeds could be planted on average in either fall (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis and Leymus cinereus), early winter (Festuca idahoensis, Poa secunda, Elymus lanceolatus, Elymus elymoides, and Linum lewisii), or mid-winter (Achillea millefolium, Elymus wawawaiensis, and Pseudoroegneria spicata) and still not run the risk of germination during winter. These predictions made through Auto-Germ demonstrate that fall may not be an optimal time period for sowing seeds for most non-dormant species if the desired goal is to have seeds germinate in spring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dallin R. Whitaker
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
| | - Kyler P. Sant
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
| | - Nicholas S. Barney
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
| | - Ryan S. Call
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
| | - Bruce A. Roundy
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
| | | | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
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46
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Porensky LM, Perryman BL, Williamson MA, Madsen MD, Leger EA. Combining active restoration and targeted grazing to establish native plants and reduce fuel loads in invaded ecosystems. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:12533-12546. [PMID: 30619563 PMCID: PMC6309004 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Many drylands have been converted from perennial-dominated ecosystems to invaded, annual-dominated, fire-prone systems. Innovative approaches are needed to disrupt fire-invasion feedbacks. Targeted grazing can reduce invasive plant abundance and associated flammable fuels, and fuelbreaks can limit fire spread. Restored strips of native plants (native greenstrips) can function as fuelbreaks while also providing forage and habitat benefits. However, methods for establishing native greenstrips in invaded drylands are poorly developed. Moreover, if fuels reduction and greenstrip establishment are to proceed simultaneously, it is critical to understand how targeted grazing interacts with plant establishment. We determined how targeted grazing treatments interacted with seed rate, spatial planting arrangement (mixtures vs. monoculture strips), seed coating technology, and species identity (five native grasses) to affect standing biomass and seeded plant density in experimental greenstrips. We monitored for two growing seasons to document effects during the seedling establishment phase. Across planting treatments, ungrazed paddocks had the highest second-year seeded plant densities and the highest standing biomass. Paddocks grazed in fall of the second growing season had fewer seedlings than paddocks grazed in spring, five months later. High seed rates minimized negative effects of grazing on plant establishment. Among seeded species, Elymus trachycaulus and Poa secunda had the highest second-year densities, but achieved this via different pathways. Elymus trachycaulus produced the most first-year seedlings, but declined in response to grazing, whereas P. secunda had moderate first-year establishment but high survival across grazing treatments. We identified clear tradeoffs between reducing fuel loads and establishing native plants in invaded sagebrush steppe; similar tradeoffs may exist in other invaded drylands. In our system, tradeoffs were minimized by boosting seed rates, using grazing-tolerant species, and delaying grazing. In invaded ecosystems, combining targeted grazing with high-input restoration may create opportunities to limit wildfire risk while also shifting vegetation toward more desirable species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M. Porensky
- Rangeland Resources and Systems Research UnitUSDA Agricultural Research ServiceFort CollinsColorado
| | - Barry L. Perryman
- Deparment of Agriculture, Nutrition and Veterinary SciencesUniversity of NevadaRenoNevada
| | - Matthew A. Williamson
- Department of Environmental Science and PolicyUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCalifornia
| | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife SciencesBrigham Young UniversityProvoUtah
| | - Elizabeth A. Leger
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental ScienceUniversity of NevadaRenoNevada
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Madsen MD, Svejcar L, Radke J, Hulet A. Inducing rapid seed germination of native cool season grasses with solid matrix priming and seed extrusion technology. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204380. [PMID: 30303990 PMCID: PMC6179225 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a need to develop effective techniques for establishing native vegetation in dryland ecosystems. We developed a novel treatment that primes (hydrates) seeds in a matrix of absorbent materials and bio-stimulants and then forms the mixture into pods for planting. In the development process, we determined optimal conditions for priming seeds and then compared seedling emergence from non-treated seeds, non-primed-seed pods, and primed-seed pods. Emergence trials were conducted on soils collected from a hillslope and ridgetop location on the Kaibab Plateau, Arizona, USA. Poa fendleriana and Pseudoroegneria spicata were used as test species. Seeds were primed from -0.5 to -2.5 MPa for up to 12 d. Seeds primed under drier conditions (-1.5 to -2.5 MPa) tended to have quicker germination. Days to 50% emergence for primed-seed pods was between 66.2 to 82.4% faster (5.2 to 14.5 d fewer) than non-treated seeds. Seedling emergence from primed-seed pods for P. fendleriana was 3.8-fold higher than non-treated seeds on the ridgetop soil, but no difference was found on the other soil. Final density of P. spicata primed-seed pods were 2.9 to 3.8-fold higher than non-treated seeds. Overall, primed-seed pods show promise for enhancing germination and seedling emergence, which could aid in native plant establishment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Madsen
- Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, Oregon United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Lauren Svejcar
- Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, Oregon United States of America
| | - Janae Radke
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah United States of America
| | - April Hulet
- Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, Oregon United States of America
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Perkins LB, Leffler AJ. Conceptualizing ecological restoration: a concise and adaptable framework for researchers and practitioners. Restor Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lora B. Perkins
- Department of Natural Resource Management; South Dakota State University; Brookings SD 57007 U.S.A
| | - A. Joshua Leffler
- Department of Natural Resource Management; South Dakota State University; Brookings SD 57007 U.S.A
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Pearson DE, Valliant M, Carlson C, Thelen GC, Ortega YK, Orrock JL, Madsen MD. Spicing up restoration: can chili peppers improve restoration seeding by reducing seed predation? Restor Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dean E. Pearson
- Rocky Mountain Research Station; USDA Forest Service; 800 E. Beckwith Avenue, Missoula MT 59801 U.S.A
- Division of Biological Sciences; University of Montana; Missoula MT 59801 U.S.A
| | - Morgan Valliant
- City of Missoula; Conservation Lands Management Program; Missoula MT 59801 U.S.A
| | - Chris Carlson
- City of Missoula; Conservation Lands Management Program; Missoula MT 59801 U.S.A
| | | | - Yvette K. Ortega
- Rocky Mountain Research Station; USDA Forest Service; 800 E. Beckwith Avenue, Missoula MT 59801 U.S.A
| | - John L. Orrock
- Department of Integrative Biology; University of Wisconsin; Madison WI 53706 U.S.A
| | - Matthew D. Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences; Brigham Young University; Provo UT 84602 U.S.A
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Bosco T, Bertiller MB, Carrera AL. Abiotic factors affect the recruitment and biomass of perennial grass and evergreen shrub seedlings in denuded areas of Patagonian Monte rangelands. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2018; 218:118-128. [PMID: 29674159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the ability of key species to cope with environmental stresses in disturbed areas is an important issue for recovery of degraded arid ecosystem. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of soil moisture, exposure to UV radiation, and presence/absence of litter with different chemistry on soil N, recruitment and biomass of seedlings of perennial grass (Poa ligularis and Nassella tenuis) and evergreen shrub species (Atriplex lampa and Larrea divaricata) in denuded areas. We carried out a microcosm experiment with soil blocks (28 cm depth) sowed with seeds of the target species, subjected to different levels of litter type (perennial grass-evergreen shrub mixture, evergreen shrub mixture, and no litter), UV radiation (near ambient and reduced UV), and soil water (high: 15-25% and low 5-15%). Periodically, during 6 months, we assessed soil-N (total and inorganic) at two depths and species seedling recruitment at microcosms. Additionally, emerged seedlings of each species were transplanted to individual pots containing soil and subjected to the same previous factors during 12 months. Then, all plants were harvested and biomass assessed. Only inorganic soil-N at the upper soil varied among treatments increasing with the presence of evergreen shrub litter, exposure to ambient UV, and high soil water. Inorganic soil-N, promoted by near ambient UV and high soil water, had a positive effect on recruitment of perennial grasses and A. lampa. Both litter types promoted the recruitment of perennial grasses. Evergreen shrub litter and high soil water promoted the recruitment of L. divaricata. Seedling biomass of perennial grasses increased with high soil water and reduced UV. Ambient UV had positive or null effects on biomass of evergreen shrub seedlings. High soil water increased biomass of L. divaricata seedlings. We concluded that soil water appeared as the most limiting factor for seedling recruitment of all species whereas inorganic soil N limited the recruitment of the small-seeded perennial grasses and A. lampa. Ambient UV had negative effects on seedling biomass of perennial grasses. These complex relationships among abiotic factors and seed and plant traits should be taken into account when planning management actions after disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Bosco
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC) - CONICET, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco (UNPSJB), Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.
| | - Mónica Beatriz Bertiller
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC) - CONICET, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco (UNPSJB), Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Analía Lorena Carrera
- Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales (IPEEC) - CONICET, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco (UNPSJB), Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
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