Phylogenetically and functionally diverse species mixes beget diverse experimental prairies, whether from seeds or plugs

Abstract

Phylogenetic and functional diversity are relevant for restoration planning, as they influence important ecosystem functions and services. However, it is unknown whether initial phylogenetic and functional diversity of restorations as planned and planted are maintained over time, that is, the extent to which diversity of the restoration planting is reflected in the diversity of the resulting plant community. Furthermore, in the tallgrass prairie, many restorations are planted from seed. Among-species variation in emergence and establishment affects the transition from seed mixes to realized plant communities in these restorations. We evaluated emergence and early establishment of experimental communities in a biodiversity plot experiment designed to test how phylogenetic and functional diversity influence restoration outcomes. We planted the same experimental communities starting from both seeds and plugs to assess differences in establishment. Our results suggest that phylogenetically and functionally diverse species mixes tend to produce phylogenetically and functionally diverse restored plant communities. After 3 years, experimental communities generally maintained their phylogenetic and functional diversity from seed and plug mixes to established vegetation, despite declines in species richness. While plots planted from seeds had on average 1.3 fewer species than plots planted from plugs, phylogenetic and functional diversity did not significantly differ between the two. Furthermore, most species exhibited no significant differences in percent cover when planted from seeds or plugs. Seeds are generally more cost-effective for restoration than plugs, and our results indicate these two establishment methods achieved similar biodiversity outcomes.

Dominant species establishment may influence invasion resistance more than phylogenetic or functional diversity

“…The depth to the seasonal high‐water table is variable across the plot, but is mostly within 60 to 100 cm of the soil surface. Blocking in the experiment was designed to maximise among‐block variation in A‐horizon depth; in previous analyses, block effects have been minimal (Barak et al., 2023). The site is at the north edge of IECC Climate Zone 5.…”

“…By the third growing season, 96 of 127 planted species were present in collected biomass. While not all species planted into the experiment established, realised diversity maintained differences in diversity of the seed mixtures, that is the most phylogenetically diverse plots were those seeded with the high phylogenetic diversity mixture (Barak et al., 2023).…”

Planting diversity begets multifaceted tree diversity in oil palm landscapes

“…However, increasing also functional and phylogenetic diversity of restored ecosystems is an important step towards improving ecosystem functioning, resilience to environmental disturbances or disease outbreaks, adaptation to changing conditions such as climate change or invasive species, and nature’s contribution to people 24–27 . Despite this, studies assessing restoration of multiple facets of biodiversity are still rare 28–30 .…”

Antecedent climate explains divergent, long-term restoration outcomes in the Western Great Plains, USA.

“…Regional guidance for species selection, seeding rates and timing of treatment currently follows seeding zones based on ecological site type and annual climate means (Taliga, 2011). However, as the climate continues to become warmer, dryer and more variable (Yuan et al, 2023), static prescriptions may be less reliable, and it may become increasingly important to account for current climatic conditions (Barr, Jonas and Paschke, 2017;Barak et al, 2023). Seed germination and seedling establishment are especially sensitive to short-term fluctuations in climatic conditions (Larson et al, 2015;Shriver et al, 2018).…”