Site Preparation
Preparing a site for planting or seeding can significantly affect restoration outcome.
There are several ways that sites can be prepared for plant material installation.
General Resources
Grazing
Grazing is an effective strategy for targeting nontoxic weeds that can be extremely cost effective, particularly if low-cost fencing is available.
Invasive Species Removal
Native seed sown into areas dominated by invasive plants generally perform very poorly and in many cases fail to establish entirely. Invasive species management is critical for restoration success.
Soil Amendment Addition
Disturbed areas are often characterized by soils that are nutrient depleted and missing critical microbial communities. Planting or seeding in areas that are low in important soil components can limit restoration success.
Prescribed Burning
When properly planned and implemented, fire can be a useful and cost-effective tool for preparing sites for restoration.
Tilling or Disking
Although tilling and disking soil can facilitate unintended consequences at a restoration site, there are many cases where these approaches can be helpful for restoration success.