Revegetation Site Design

Revegetation Methods

• Natural regeneration

• Tubestock or seedling planting

• Machine direct seeding

• Hand direct seeding

Natural regeneration• Method where weeds and other threats(eg stock) are

removed to allow native plant seed to germinate.• Only used where there is adequate natural seed-eg

buffer, remnant.• Usually used in areas where a lot of native vegetation

remains or there is a good natural seed bank in the soil• Often used to promote understorey species.• Cheap and easy method so long as follow up threat

management is undertaken• Provides good habitat as germination and subsequent

plant location is random in space and time.• In red gum(& other) sites be wary of over-dominance

where other species may be unlikely to regenerate-e.g. ex paddock

• Patience is required so don’t rush in and reveg

Natural Regeneration

Tubestock planting• Greater control over planting density & position • Greater control over revegetation layout, spatial

arrangement of plants & species selection • More labour intensive and costs more than

direct seeding• Often requires Tree Guards• Requires plants to be grown in advance and so

more planning & weather risks • More appropriate where existing understorey or

a good base exists-e.g. Grassy woodland or existing over-storey with flogged understorey

• Good for infill planting• Uses less seed resources than direct seeding

Revegetation with tubestock

Direct seeding• 2 methods – Machine and hand• Limited control over planting density with Machine

seeding• Can end up with un-natural lines of plants with machine

seeding- dependant on operator/client• Cheaper, quicker and easier than planting tubestock.• Seed can be collected from remnant vegetation,

revegetation sites, or grown in seed orchards.• Method used depends on;

– seed type and amount available-lots of seed with machine.– terrain– Climate– Weed abundance on the site– Native groundcover plants present on the site (machine direct

seeding is high disturbance)– Soil type-e.g. V-blade seeding on non-wetting sands

Direct seeding continued….• Historically seed mixes don’t always match the

vegetation type being replaced-sometimes too much variety!

• Can be a great way to establish a dominant species back into a site prior to coming back later and placing more diversity with tube stock

• Can continue to germinate for several years after sowing as weather permits

Machine Direct seeding

Reveg

Remnant

Machine seeding with natural thinning

Combination of machine direct seeding and tubestock planting

Hand Direct Seeding

Hedging your bets

Placement of plants

Reducing creek line erosion

Revegetation Site DesignConsiderations

– Purpose of the revegetation – for a windbreak or biodiversity?– The habitat type being planted-how do you choose?– The natural spatial arrangement of plants in that particular

habitat type.– Site history – agricultural use, cultivation, herbicides.– Site location – Planting in a random manner where possible– Creating diversity of habitats on larger sites– Matching vegetation to soil types and the local climate– The proportion of existing natural vegetation on the site– The size of the site– The method of revegetation that can be used given the terrain

and environmental factors – Undertaking adequate weed and pest animal management – pre

and post planting– The seed and plant resources, time, and money available– The ability for ongoing management to be undertaken– Roos and other grazing pressures

Broad site checklist• Always assess existing plants, soils, threats,

opportunities & indicators on site & record them

• Closely observe nearby remnants for guidance on species selection & seed resources-and record it

• Discuss findings with the landholder & provide with species list ASAP-involve & listen to them

• Think about plant association/s and try and balance species proportions accordingly-16+species???

• If you don’t know how to approach a technical issue get help from others

• Does the proposed site actually need revegetation?

• Create a map of project & ensure all parties understand where, how, when & what is being done

• Hone plant ID skills as it is such as valuable skill for so many reasons(funding, planning & inspiring)

• Record species suitable for reveg-key structural species on site

• Choose method of reveg that is most practical, ethical and achievable

• Plan well in advance- if you can • Keep good records and always take plenty of

pics.• Don’t forget about managing remnant vegetation

and where possible incorporate revegetation to link, buffer or enhance existing remnants.

Any Questions