Improving Restoration of Exotic Annual Grass-Invaded Rangelands Through Activated Carbon Seed Enhancement Technologies

Madsen, Matthew D.; Davies, Kirk W.; Mummey, Daniel L.; Svejcar, Tony J.

doi:10.2111/rem-d-13-00050.1

Cited by 58 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Furthermore, proven agricultural seeding technologies are being modified to suit restoration programs using native species (Jonson 2010). Seed enhancement technologies such as polymer seed coating and embedding seeds in a soil matrix with compounds that are known to assist in promoting germination and plant establishment, while reducing pathogen attack, are also rapidly being developed (Turner et al 2006, Madsen et al 2012, Madsen et al 2014. In combination these technological advances have been shown to be critical in establishing sufficient plants for successful restoration in some systems (e.g., Turner et al 2006).…”

Section: Restoring Species Composition Requires More Than Just Plantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in restoration ecology: rising to the challenges of the coming decades

et al. 2015

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Abstract. Simultaneous environmental changes challenge biodiversity persistence and human wellbeing. The science and practice of restoration ecology, in collaboration with other disciplines, can contribute to overcoming these challenges. This endeavor requires a solid conceptual foundation based in empirical research which confronts, tests and influences theoretical developments. We review conceptual developments in restoration ecology over the last 30 years. We frame our review in the context of changing restoration goals which reflect increased societal awareness of the scale of environmental degradation and the recognition that inter-disciplinary approaches are needed to tackle environmental problems. Restoration ecology now encompasses facilitative interactions and network dynamics, trophic cascades, and above-and belowground linkages. It operates in a non-equilibrium, alternative states framework, at the landscape scale, and in response to changing environmental, economic and social conditions. Progress has been marked by conceptual advances in the fields of trait-environment relationships, community assembly, and understanding the links between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Conceptual and practical advances have been enhanced by applying evolving technologies, including treatments to increase seed germination and overcome recruitment bottlenecks, high throughput DNA sequencing to elucidate soil community structure and function, and advances in satellite technology and GPS tracking to monitor habitat use. The synthesis of these technologies with systematic reviews of context dependencies in restoration success, model based analyses and consideration of complex socioecological systems will allow generalizations to inform evidence based interventions. Ongoing challenges include setting realistic, socially acceptable goals for restoration under changing environmental conditions, and prioritizing actions in an increasingly space-competitive world. Ethical questions also surround the use of genetically modified material, translocations, taxon substitutions, and de-extinction, in restoration ecology. Addressing these issues, as the Ecological Society of America looks to its next century, will require current and future generations of researchers and practitioners, including economists, engineers, philosophers, landscape architects, social scientists and restoration ecologists, to work together with communities and governments to rise to the environmental challenges of the coming decades.

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Section: Restoring Species Composition Requires More Than Just Plantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in restoration ecology: rising to the challenges of the coming decades

et al. 2015

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“…The site was treated with pre‐emergent herbicide, which controlled weed species whereas activated carbon in the HPP s deactivates herbicide in the immediate vicinity of the sown seed and allows for plant growth. Reproduced from Madsen et al (2013 b ).…”

Section: Seed Enhancement Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Activated carbon‐coated seeds and HPP technology have been evaluated in a laboratory grow‐room study with bluebunch wheatgrass as the model‐seeded species and cheatgrass ( Bromus tectorum L.) as the exotic invasive (Madsen et al 2013 b ). In this study, bluebunch wheatgrass was either left uncoated, coated with activated carbon or incorporated into HPPs.…”

Section: Seed Enhancement Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging seed enhancement technologies for overcoming barriers to restoration

Madsen

Davies

Boyd

et al. 2016

Restoration Ecology

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Rangelands occupy over a third of global land area, and in many cases are in less than optimum condition as a result of past land use, catastrophic wildfire, and other disturbances, invasive species, or climate change. Often the only means of restoring these lands involves seeding desirable species, yet there are few cost effective-seeding technologies, especially for the more arid rangeland types. The inability to consistently establish desired plants from seed may indicate that seeding technologies being employed are not successful in addressing the primary sources of mortality in the progression from seed to established plant. Seed enhancement technologies allow for the physical manipulation and application of materials to the seed that can enhance germination, emergence, and/or early seedling growth. In this article, we examine some of the major limiting factors impairing seedling establishment in North America's sagebrush steppe ecosystem and propose seed enhancement technologies that may have the potential to overcome these restoration barriers. We discuss specific technologies for: (1) increasing soil water availability; (2) enhancing seedling emergence in crusting soil; (3) controlling the timing of seed germination; (4) improving plantability and emergence of small-seeded species; (5) enhancing seed coverage of broadcasted seeds; and (6) protecting seedlings from pre-emergent herbicide. Concepts and technologies in this article for restoring the sagebrush steppe ecosystem may apply generally to semiarid and arid rangelands around the globe.

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“…In the Madsen et al () approach, the binder is applied in excess to cause clumping of the seeds. Various extrusion techniques have also been applied to agglomerate seeds together with filler materials, to form pellets (Madsen et al ), pods (Madsen et al ), and pillows (Madsen et al ). Our finding is that the agglomeration procedures proposed by Madsen et al () are not capable of forming uniform agglomerates with small low‐purity seed, and seed extrusion techniques are relatively inefficient to apply.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed conglomeration: a disruptive innovation to address restoration challenges associated with small‐seeded species

Hoose

Call

Bates

et al. 2019

Restoration Ecology

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Small‐seeded species are an integral component of many natural systems. However, small‐seeded species are often omitted from restoration projects due to limited flow through seeders, low broadcast distance, and inconsistent seeding rates. To address these problems, we developed a novel technique within a rotary coater that allows for the conglomeration of small, low‐purity seeds using a combination of clay, compost, water, and a polymer binder. We used Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), which has a seed size of approximately 1 mm or less, as a model species to evaluate the technology. We demonstrated improved flowability of conglomerates over untreated (control) seeds through measurements of the Hausner ratio (8% decrease), the angle of repose (21% decrease), and delivery through a broadcast seeder. Seeding rates of conglomerated seed were more consistent than control seed over rugged terrain. Conglomerates were also broadcast 2.2 times further than control seed, which may mitigate the overall cost of implementing this technology. Laboratory trials demonstrated that the final germination of conglomerated seed averaged 15% higher than control seed. Field trials at two sites demonstrated that seedling emergence was similar for control and conglomerated seed. With no deleterious effects observed from the conglomeration treatment, additional research is merited for using conglomerates as a platform to apply various additives, such as fungicides, plant growth hormones, fertilizers, and biologicals. The potential outcomes of these strategies may have a significant impact on future seeding attempts by improving seed delivery and increasing overall seeding success.

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Improving Restoration of Exotic Annual Grass-Invaded Rangelands Through Activated Carbon Seed Enhancement Technologies

Cited by 58 publications

References 42 publications

Advances in restoration ecology: rising to the challenges of the coming decades

Advances in restoration ecology: rising to the challenges of the coming decades

Emerging seed enhancement technologies for overcoming barriers to restoration

Seed conglomeration: a disruptive innovation to address restoration challenges associated with small‐seeded species

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