Plant Material - Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration - page 111

Chapter 8
Plant Material
There are several options for helping vegetation get established on your restoration site. One of the
most common propagule types is seed, which can be used from existing plants on-site or brought
in from another location. Equally common are plants grown in containers of numerous sizes and
shapes. Many species can be produced vegetatively and afford a quick and efficient means of es-
tablishing a large number of plant specimens on-site with low cost in labor and money. Cuttings,
rooted cuttings, and rhizomes are commonly used for many species. Translocation or salvaging of
specimen plants or plant assemblages provides an excellent opportunity to put mature individuals
on-site quickly along with the soil components of invertebrates and microorganisms. As with other
areas of restoration, there are no absolutes on approach. Each type of plant material has advan-
tages and disadvantages that need to be considered in the context of your situation with regard to
available funds, labor, space, and time.
Seed
Seed provides an excellent way to introduce many species on your project at a fraction of the cost
of container plants. Seed use will permit the various species in your project to sort themselves ac-
cording to microhabitats or through various mechanisms of plant competition. Although valuable
to a restoration project, the use of seed can present some challenges. Even then, however, it is
typically well worth the effort.
Purchase or Collect?
Commercial seed suppliers and producers typically collect, grow, and harvest a standard list of spe-
cies and quantities. Some commercial seed providers have readily available common species that
are used frequently on restoration and erosion control projects. Some suppliers may have several
species, but, because of uncertain demand, the supplies may be limited. It is not uncommon for
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