05-1-14 Diversity and Shrub Islands

Block title

05-1-14 Diversity and Shrub Islands

May 1, 2014

Jess Kindred provides insight into Shrub and Forb diversity at MPG Ranch and also details some aspects of our seed collection and planting methodology.

PDF icon Download (28.69 MB)

Diversity and Shrub Islands By Jess Kindred

MPG crews collected seeds of native species in 2013 for out- planting on restoration sites. This spring the crew planted ranch seed in 10 diversity islands and 44 shrub patches. From these, a seedbank for local genotypes will establish in areas disconnected from potential seed sources. (Map)

Crews planted the following species: MPG seed: •  Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) •  Penstemon ssp. •  Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) •  Pussytoes (Antennaria ssp.) •  Hairy goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) •  •  Owl clover (Orthocarpus tenuifolius) •  •  Aspen fleabane (Erigeron speciosus) •  Larkspur (Delphinium bicolor) •  •  Death camas (Toxicoscordion venenosum) •  Lupine ssp. •  Shooting star (Dodecatheon conjugens) •  Yellow bell (Fritillaria pudica) Native Ideals seed: •  Holboell's rockcress (Arabis holboellii) Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) Hairy evening primrose (Oenothera villosa) Littleflower penstemon (Penstemon procerus)

Crews planted bitterbrush and rabbitbrush in the shrub patches. We raked rabbitbrush (above) into plots and planted bitterbrush (below) at half an inch depth.

Right: James Sapp plants bitterbrush into one of the nine cells of a shrub patch.  Shrub Patches The field crew planted shrub patches and diversity islands in 20 ft2 areas. The figure below shows the shrub seeding strategy. Each shrub island encompasses nine cells. Forb Diversity Islands Crews raked broadcast seeds of individual species into areas represented by small circles, with color variation representing forb species variation.

Seth Dahl and James Sapp plant a shrub patch. Tools for the job lie in the foreground. This photo shows a completed plot.

do not expect this native forb to re-establish on former crested wheatgrass stands for many years. Crews planted this species in diversity islands to assist establishment, but this individual established on its own. 

bove: Chris Henderson and Brian Battaglia plant forbs in a diversity island in the top house praire. In the photo below, Sainfoin grows from roots and seed. Sainfoin emerges earlier than most species. 

I planted surplus bitterbrush seed in a strip between weed mats.