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Tannas Conserva�on Services Ltd.
A Step-‐By-‐Step of Planning a Native Prairie Restoration Project
Designing for the Future
Steven Tannas
Tannas Conserva�on Services Ltd.
Table of Contents Project Goals and Timeline Resources and Informa�on Collec�on Pre-‐site Survey Plan Development Implementa�on Monitoring
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Project Goals and Timeline Project Goals Reclama�on
Process of returning disturbed land to its former or other produc�ve uses. It can include processes such as, decontamina�on, surface reconstruc�on, soil placement and revegeta�on
Revegeta�on Establishment of plants to a specified density (cover) across a site. Species requirements are only a small considera�on during most re-‐vegeta�on programs.
Restora�on Restora�on can take any number of forms, but in general the goal is to restore an ecosystem to its previous func�on, or to a similar func�on of another natural ecosystem chosen by the designer.
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Project Goals and Timeline Timeline The �meline cannot be forced. It will depend on a number of variables that are completely out of your control. Once your plan is completed an es�mated �meline is possible Depends on project goals
Plant species required, complexity, and establishment rate Regulatory requirements
Depends on budget available Shorter �melines require higher budgets
Depends on site condi�ons Weeds, soil salinity, moisture regime, soil texture,
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Location, Location, Location Iden�fy the greater context of your loca�on Iden�fy your natural sub-‐region / Ecoregion Iden�fy surrounding sub-‐regions / Ecodistricts Depending on jurisdic�on names vary
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Ecodistricts in the Mixedgrass Natural Subregion In Alberta, Plant Community Guides provide this informa�on
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Ecoregion, Ecodistrict
Determine Dominant Ecological Range Site
Determine Reference Plant Community
Consult Maps
Data Layers Available No Data Layers Available
Soil Surveys maps Field Soil Survey
GVI, AVI, Other Sources Field Vegetation Survey
Risk Assessment
Erosion
Invasive Species
Soil Moisture
Soil Nutrients
Native Species
Wind
Regulated
Lack
Absence
Access
Water
Non-Regulated
Abundance
Surplus
Propagation Issues
Community Health and Classification
Health Successional Level
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Identify Resources Available Required Resources and Informa�on Plant Community Guide (In Alberta) Guide by Natural Sub-‐region Restora�on Strategies Guide (In Alberta) Guide by Natural Sub-‐region or a basic guide for the Province Guides for neighboring Ecosystems Soils Informa�on (Alberta – AGRISID) Vegeta�on Informa�on (Grassland Vegeta�on Inventory) Site Specific Plant Community Site Specific Topography Site Specific Soil Condi�ons Clima�c Condi�ons
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Identify Resources Available Plant Community Guide (In Alberta) Guide by Natural Sub-‐region Strong resource when you do not have a surrounding community to match If you are matching a surrounding ecosystem use these guides to iden�fy suitable subs�tute species and determine informa�on on the site history, land use, and what species will most appropriately replicate the required ecosystem func�ons on the site If No Plant Community Guide is Available
Use field assessments in target communi�es surrounding the disturbed site. This informa�on is always more accurate for your specific loca�on
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Identify Resources Available Restora�on Strategies Guide (In Alberta) Guide by Natural Sub-‐region or a basic guide for the Province This guide will show you step by step what does and does not work for the environment you are in. If No Guide Is Available
Use neighboring regions guides. Alberta’s guides apply to more than just within the province boundary.
Find more general guides
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Identify Resources Available Online Informa�on Soils Informa�on (Alberta – AGRISID) Vegeta�on Informa�on (GVI, AVI…) This informa�on is an important planning resource, it can speed up your planning process in the office and reduce the field data collec�on required. This informa�on will iden�fy similar sites to compare to your site to determine appropriate vegeta�on and link you to the guides. When this data is not available field data collec�on of the site in ques�on and target communi�es is more cri�cal.
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Identify Resources Available Site Specific Survey Data It is cri�cal to have site specific survey informa�on for all restora�on projects no ma�er the size. The more complex the restora�on the more informa�on that will be required. If no informa�on surrounding your site is available iden�fy neighboring land that can be assessed as a target. You will Require: Site Specific Plant Communi�es Site Specific Topography Site Specific Soil Condi�ons Clima�c Condi�ons
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Climate and Soils Determine Microclima�c impacts within the Natural Sub-‐region North face vs south face Soil type and varia�on on the site Pull informa�on from available sources (GVI, Soil surveys, other exis�ng sources of informa�on), understand that most map layers exis�ng are not ground truthed at all or only superficially.
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Ecoregion, Ecodistrict
Determine Dominant Ecological Range Site
Determine Reference Plant Community
Consult Maps
Data Layers Available No Data Layers Available
Soil Surveys maps Field Soil Survey
GVI, AVI, Other Sources Field Vegetation Survey
Risk Assessment
Erosion
Invasive Species
Soil Moisture
Soil Nutrients
Native Species
Wind
Regulated
Lack
Absence
Access
Water
Non-Regulated
Abundance
Surplus
Propagation Issues
Community Health and Classification
Health Successional Level
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Vegetation Assessment Assess your plant community Range Health Assessments
Strengths Quick to run Takes only moderate training Tells you about the community health Tells you the successional stage Associates with benchmark data
Weakness Only gives top species Cover es�mates inaccurate Seasonality of community has impact on cover values
Cover values rely heavily on experienced assessment specialist
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Assess your plant community (Foothills Fescue Natural Subregion)
Range Health Assessments 56% Healthy with Problems Significant invasion No Foothills Rough Fescue Significant reduc�on in western Porcupine grass
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Vegetation Assessment Assess your plant community Detailed Vegeta�on Transects
Strengths More accurate and detailed info Complete community Tells you about the community health Tells you the successional stage Associates with benchmark data Gives you all info for health assessment
Weakness Slower to complete Requires more training Data only as good as assessment specialist
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Assess your plant community Detailed Vegeta�on Transects
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Assess your plant community Detailed Vegeta�on Transects
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Ecoregion, Ecodistrict
Determine Dominant Ecological Range Site
Determine Reference Plant Community
Consult Maps
Data Layers Available No Data Layers Available
Soil Surveys maps Field Soil Survey
GVI, AVI, Other Sources Field Vegetation Survey
Risk Assessment
Erosion
Invasive Species
Soil Moisture
Soil Nutrients
Native Species
Wind
Regulated
Lack
Absence
Access
Water
Non-Regulated
Abundance
Surplus
Propagation Issues
Community Health and Classification
Health Successional Level
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Ecological Site Restoration Risk Analysis (ESRRA)
PDF is available online at www.foothillsrestora�onforum.ca
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Reclamation Risk Assessment Project Constraints Timing, Scale, Asethe�cs, Timeline, Budgets…
Ecodistrict Each natural subregions, and ecodistrict contains unique risks associated with its climate, soils, disturbance regimes, and plant communi�es. Loca�on will feed informa�on to each other risk assessment. Is the community present adapted to disturbance
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Reclamation Risk Assessment Soil Stability Soil texture, Topography, Climate (precipita�on, wind), geology
Where site stability is at risk a stabiliza�on program must be employed Cover Crops Bio-‐engineering Hydro-‐mulch Erosion control blankets Turf reinforcement ma�ng Erosion control structures
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Risk Assessment Soil Nutrients Low nutrient condi�ons and poor roo�ng mediums
Establishment Failures May Occur Species Selec�on Fer�liza�on Organic Ma�er Enhancement
Rich Nutrient Condi�ons Invasive Species Issues, compe��on issues (i.e. Bromus tectorum)
Weed management program Nutrient suppression Seed mix balance and species selec�on
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Risk Assessment Soil Moisture Dry loca�ons, droughts
Risk of establishment failure, Species selec�on, irriga�on, �ming of seeding, seeding rates
Wet loca�ons Risk of compe��on, erosion, invasive species, (i.e. Poa pratensis, Bromus inermis…) Species selec�on, weed control, �ming of reclama�on, seeding rates
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Risk Assessment Invasive Species Regulated weeds, Agronomic Species, Nuisance weeds
Invasive Species Control Program, Herbicide, Tillage, Cover Crops, Compe��ve na�ve species, �ming of seeding, nutrient supression
Na�ve Species Propaga�on Issues, Establishment Issues, Access to Material
Live plants, Seeding Rates, Subs�tute Species, Wild Harvest, Contract Growing
Reliability of Sources, Contamina�on of Weeds Get Source Informa�on, Weed Cer�ficates, Use Reliable Labs, Adap�ve Management Programs
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Reclamation Risk Assessment Range Health and Successional Level When surrounding vegeta�on is healthy infill and natural recovery techniques may enhance recovery, climax species may be extremely difficult to restore and �melines may be increased When surrounding vegeta�on is unhealthy the infill may all be invasive species and weed management may become cri�cal Early successional species may be easy to restore and reclama�on may progress quickly
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Ecoregion, Ecodistrict
Determine Dominant Ecological Range Site
Determine Reference Plant Community
Consult Maps
Data Layers Available No Data Layers Available
Soil Surveys maps Field Soil Survey
GVI, AVI, Other Sources Field Vegetation Survey
Risk Assessment
Erosion
Invasive Species
Soil Moisture
Soil Nutrients
Native Species
Wind
Regulated
Lack
Absence
Access
Water
Non-Regulated
Abundance
Surplus
Propagation Issues
Community Health and Classification
Health Successional Level
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Recovery Strategies Options
Natural Recovery
Na�ve Seed Mix
Assisted Natural Recovery
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Select the Recovery Strategy
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Seed Mix Design Compare your desired species list to what is available Determine the successional level of each species
Colonizers vs climax species
Determine the grazing response of each species Decreasers (Cri�cal species to replace) Increaser 1 (these are fairly cri�cal) Increaser 2 (These may be site stabilizers that if used appropriately will set up your trajectory.
Invader (These species may destabilize your trajectory
Tannas Conserva�on Services Ltd. CLRA Alberta Chapter 2014 Annual General Mee�ng and Conference
Target Recovering Plant Community Cypress Upland: Loamy, Shallow to Gravel, Gravel and Thin
Breaks Range Sites
Species Proportion of Seed Mix % PLS by Weight Plains rough fescue Festuca hallii 50% Western porcupine grass Stipa curtiseta 30% Awned wheat grass Agropyron trachycaulum var. unilateral 05% Northern wheat grass Agropyron dasystachyum 05% June Grass Koeleria macrantha 10%
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Target Recovering Plant Community Detailed Vegeta�on Transects
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Seed Mix Design Compare your desired species list to what is available Assess the varie�es available
Local Wild Harvest Seed (contaminants may be desirable infill species Non-‐local Wild Harvest Seed (contaminants if na�ve may not be a benefit but will rarely cause any nega�ve impacts)
Ecovars and similarily selected species – gene�cally robust and may be developed for your local site, if not may s�ll be suitable depending on how different the source loca�on is
Source Selected – Species that can be located in a specific source loca�on may be ideal if the source loca�on matches your site characteris�cs
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Seed Mix Design Compare your desired species list to what is available Proximity to Source – the appropriate distance from source to site varies by species and by loca�on. Species sourced from a drier environment that is a long distance away may be more appropriate than one closer from a much we�er loca�on
Each species has a different natural distribu�on. Distance ma�ers for some species more than others
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Seed Mix Design Impact of Goals on Seed Mix & Seeding Rate Bunch grass vs Creeping (compe��on issues) Fast vs slow establishment requirements Erosion issues Possible disturbance regimes Asethe�cs
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On Site Management Experience and a�en�on to detail is cri�cal
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On Site Management Experience and a�en�on to detail is cri�cal
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Adaptive Management
Correc�ve Ac�on Iden�fy Problem
Monitor Site
Design Solu�on
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Adaptive Management Monitoring Program
What To Monitor: Vegeta�on Density Invasive Species Soil Erosion
When To Monitor: First Season: Monthly Second Season: Spring, Late Summer Third Season and Onward: Mid Summer
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Establish a Monitoring and Adaptive Management Program
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Adaptive Management Fences Are O�en Le� Too Long
Fenced Remote Sump Site in Majorville Area: seeded na�ve cul�vars have become lodged, extensive li�er buildup has altered surface moisture, and na�ve encroachment is not occurring.
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Invasive Species Management Species that Cause Removal Concerns Baby’s Breath (Root System) Centless Cammomile (Seed Produc�on) Downy Brome (Sets seed monthly) Japanese Brome (Sets seed monthly) Most Grasses
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Invasive Species Management Species that Cause Compe��ve Problems Crested Wheatgrass Quack Grass Creeping Red Fescue Sheep’s Fescue Hard Fescue Smooth Brome Timothy Sweet Clover Baby’s Breath Meadow Brome
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Smooth Brome Control Wick Applica�on with or without Mowing was the only method to significantly reduce smooth brome. Sooth brome was reduced to levels found in off RoW Controls
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
2009 2010 2011 2012
Treatment
Cove
r (%)
MMWWRoW Controlcontrol
P<0.0001
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Timothy Control While wick applica�on was the most efficient at reducing timothy, all treatments effec�vely reduced �mothy to that seen in the control
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
2009 2010 2011 2012
Year
Cove
r (%)
MMWWROWCcontrol
P<0.0001
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Kentucky Bluegrass Response of Kentucky bluegrass to treatments Kentucky bluegrass was opportunis�c and replaced the �mothy and smooth brome
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2009 2010 2011 2012
Year
Cove
r (%
)
MMWWRoW controlcontrol
P=0.02
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Kentucky Bluegrass Invasion The interac�on of distance from the focal F. campestris plant and defolia�on on the cover of P. pratensis within stands planted with F. campestris at high (top), medium (middle) and low (bo�om) density. Means and error bars are from the mixed model analysis.
y = 5.52x2 - 16.787x + 20.779
y = 8.21x2 - 26.994x + 23.451
0
10
20
30
40
50
10 20 30 40
Cov
er (%
)
+D
-D
y = 3.07x2 - 9.912x + 11.244
y = 2.78x2 - 6.327x + 6.5971
0
10
20
30
40
50
10 20 30 40 50Distance from focal F. campestris plant (cm)
Cov
er (%
)
+D
-D
y = 8.06x2 - 15.371x + 18.538
y = 4.8x2 - 11.174x + 12.999
0
10
20
30
40
50
10 20 30
Cov
er (%
)
Defoliated
Undefoliated
Defoliated
Undefoliated
-D
+D
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Kentucky Bluegrass Invasion The mean distance (±SE) of P. pratensis encroachment from the perimeter into the plot towards focal F.
campestris plants at each of 3 different plan�ng densi�es. Le�ers show significant differences P<0.05.
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
High Medium LowDensity
Dist
ance
(cm
)
A
C
B
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Recovery Strategies Publications The First Approxima�ons of both the Dry Mixedgrass and Mixedgrass Recovery Strategies Documents are available in pdf format online at: www.foothillsrestora�onforum.ca PDF versions of the Range Plant Community Guides for the Dry Mixedgrass, Mixedgrass, Northern Fescue and Foothills Fescue NSRs are also available via the website. Bound Hardcopies can be purchased online, by contac�ng Donna Wa� at [email protected] or by visi�ng us at the table outside; we will be available for the dura�on of this a�ernoon. Thank-‐You!
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Contributions Marilyn Neville Eileen Tannas Foothills Restora�on Forum Documents Range Plant Community Guides Recovery Strategies of the Dry Mixed Grass Natural Subregion
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Questions
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