Factoring restoration practitioner perceptions into future design of mechanical direct seeders for native seeds

The methods used to distribute seeds influence the success of a restoration project. We surveyed 183 restoration practitioners from across the globe with the aim of identifying common limitations to the effective use of mechanical direct seeding in large‐scale restoration practice to highlight avenu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Restoration ecology 2019-11, Vol.27 (6), p.1251-1262
Main Authors: Masarei, Monte, Guzzomi, Andrew L., Merritt, David J., Erickson, Todd E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Control methods
direct seeding
drill seeding
Ecological monitoring
ecological rehabilitation
ecological restoration
Environmental restoration
Morphology
Nursery grounds
Planting
Restoration
seed distribution
Seeders
Seeding
seedlings
Seeds
Spatial distribution
survey
Surveying
Topography (geology)
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Summary:The methods used to distribute seeds influence the success of a restoration project. We surveyed 183 restoration practitioners from across the globe with the aim of identifying common limitations to the effective use of mechanical direct seeding in large‐scale restoration practice to highlight avenues for design improvement to mechanized seeding equipment. Results from this survey show that direct seeding methods are commonly used for ecological restoration and agree with other studies that suggest the method can achieve results much quicker and cheaper than the alternative of distributing nursery‐grown tube stock. However, this study indicates that current mechanical direct seeding methods lack adequate control of seed sowing depth and spatial distribution and highlight that the inability to sow seeds of varying morphology over complex topography are common limitations to direct seeding. To improve restoration success, engineering improvements to mechanical direct seeders used in large‐scale restoration should focus in particular on addressing issues of precision of delivery for diverse seed types and landscapes.
ISSN:1061-2971
1526-100X
DOI:10.1111/rec.13001