Restoration Theory and Practice

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Restoration Theory and Practice"

Marvin Kory Conley
6 years ago
Views:

1 Restoration Theory and Practice An Overview PCAP 2014 Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop January 29 th, 2014 Regina, Sk Larry K. Gabruch Native Plant Solutions, Saskatoon

2 OVERVIEW Project Planning Implementation Monitoring/management

3 Planning Sound Science should be the foundation for all project designs It's The Science that Creates Quality & Solutions that Lasts'

4 Project planning starts early. Work with designers/planners/clients at conceptual stage Most important: Know and understand dynamics of the site

5 Essential Pre-Planting Procedures Site history and visit Soils including pre and post disturbance sampling/surveys Site use/farming/herbicide history Vegetation Naturally occurring in vicinity Weeds? Hydrology

6 Range Site Capability Every range site has the inherent ability to support a plant community

7 Plant species performance will vary among range sites due to differences in soil, water and topographic features and influence reclamation design.

8 Selection of native species based on Range Site Capability Choose natives that are naturally adapted to the climatic and environmental conditions they grow in A natural systems approach A truly sustainable choice

10 Minimize Planting Risks and Ensure Consistent Success Allow for flexibility to modify approaches to adapt to ecoregion variability and local conditions Determine and/or understand project objectives Poor pre-plant planning is a recipe for establishment failure

11 70+ All factors Years Experience taken into consideration, Installing & with Managing emphasis Wetlands on weed across control prior to planting, diverse Canada native stands are possible. 70+ Years Experience Installing & Managing Wetlands across Canada across Canada Over 18 million acres secured & protected

eliminated prior to planting Will 2 3 years of a well

12 Implementation Putting the plan into action Perennial weed infestations, grassy and/or broadleaf must be eliminated prior to planting Will 2 3 years of a well planned, aggressive treatment plan address this issue?

13 Essential Planting Procedures There are no shortcuts..

14 Essential Planting Procedures Weed Control, Weed Control, Weed Control!! Devote whatever time it takes to eliminate weeds without the risk of soil erosion 1-3 years of control depending on weed types, annuals/perennials!!! Beware Canada Thistle, Quack Grass, Scentless Chamomile, Foxtail Barley, Downy Brome..

15 Integrated Approach to Weed Control Cover Crops or Green Feed Tillage Chem fallow Or combinations of the above

16 Green Feed Advantages Remove weed seeds and crop residue Not utilizing soil moisture entire year Green ground cover and Erosion Control

17 Inadequate Weed Control Causes more grass failures than any other single factor Weeds compete with desirable seedlings for moisture, light and nutrients Seedling native grasses and forbes are NOT strong competitors

18 Field Preparation A firm seedbed is required Direct Seed Cultivate and harrow?? Pre-seeding weed control!!

19 Pre-seeding weed control!!

20 Firm Seedbed

21 Acquire Site Appropriate Seed Seed and Seed Mixes Planting objectives and site conditions will determine species selection! Use good quality, locally adapted species (take our word that this is essential!) For many ecoregions, commercial supplies of native seed and Ecovar are available Order early as supplies can be limited!!

22 Seeding Equipment Specialized grass seeding drills with agitation

23 Direct Seed

25 Seeding Depth

26 When Should Natives be Seeded? Dormant and spring planting dates to spread risks Seeding dates and seasons can vary depending on the location of the planting and also what species are being seeded MOST IMPORTANTLY, do not seed if weed control is not adequate!!!!!!!!

27 When Should Natives be Seeded?

28 Planting ALWAYS base seeding rate and mix design on PURE LIVE SEED (PLS) on a per square foot basis on

29 Stand Management Theory and Practice Post Planting Management

30 Herbicides options are limited Post Planting Weed Control Mowing useful when weeds have escaped and are beyond chemical control or if no herbicide options exist. Cutting and Baling!!

31 Post Planting Weed Control The importance of getting a native stand off to a good start cannot be over emphasized

32 Post Planting Monitor and Evaluate A post seedling emergence inspection is required to determine establishment success Is further weed control required? Is remedial seeding required? Insects - Grasshoppers? Wild Life Canada Geese?

33 Post Planting Sign-Off The final establishment inspection should ideally be made after the stand has gone through at least one winter. Average Seedlings per square foot Action/Condition <1 Reseed 1 3 Wait and re-evaluate next year 4 5 Successful planting >6 Very good

Post Establishment Management Managing Native Grasses Native grasses have established and thrived for many thousands of years through natural occurrences such as

34 Post Establishment Management Managing Native Grasses Native grasses have established and thrived for many thousands of years through natural occurrences such as intensive disturbance by Bison and wildfires Trying to simulate these occurrences through controlled management techniques such as grazing, mowing and/or prescribed burning

35 Native Grasses Cool season plants (C3) Grow actively in early part of growing season 2nd minor growth in Fall Warm season plants (C4) Growth during hottest, driest part of summer

36 Native Grasses Complementary Growth Patterns of Cool and Warm-Season Grasses

37 Native Grasses Cool Season- C3 Green Needlegrass Awned Wheatgrass Western wheatgrass Northern wheatgrass Slender wheatgrass Canada Wildrye Needle-and-thread Plains Rough fescue June grass Fringed Brome Forbs Purple Prairie clover White Prairie clover Maximilion Sunflower Warm Season- C4 Big bluestem Little bluestem Switchgrass Indiangrass Blue grama Sideoats grama Prairie Cordgrass Prairie Sandreed

38 Indicators of Management Decrease in diversity of native species Increase in the abundance of weeds and Brush Decrease of culm/vegetation heights Decrease in total culm production

39 Haying & Burning Integrated Managements Grazing & Burning Haying & Spraying Haying, Burning, & Spraying

40 Expected Results Management Results Increase in all stand characteristic numbers in the first two years Leveling off of these numbers in the third year Continued increase in duff accumulation after third year

41 Management Objectives Early Spring burn Remediation Late Spring burn Fall burn Maintenance

42 Management Timing It s all about the Leaf Stage 0-4 leaf- stimulate growth >4 leaf- inhibit/set back growth Timing to get results you desire Earlier spring management- promote cool season grasses, shrubs, trees (willow, poplar) *Problem- also stimulates C3 invasive Later spring/early summer- promote warm season grasses/forbs, set back shrubs, trees

46 Green Roofs Birds Hill Park (Mb) Park Office rooftop

49 : Emergent Vegetation and Native Grass Uplands

50 Thank You! Contact: Larry K. Gabruch Manager - Native Plant Solutions (306) L_gabruch@ducks.ca

Native Seed Mixes and Orders -Quality Assurance

PCAP -2012 Native Prairie/Reclamation Workshop February 8 9, 2012 Saskatoon Native Seed Mixes and Orders -Quality Assurance Larry K. Gabruch P.Ag Nature Conservancy of Canada Saskatchewan Region Parklands