Plant Selection: Principles

Transcription

1 Plant Selection, Forms & Sources Warren Gold REN capstone November 7, 2008 This presentation will focus on principles For specific information on species see resources on handout, books, instructors Plant Selection: Principles 1. Project goals & objectives 2. Horticultural criteria 3. Ecological criteria 4. Social criteria 5. Financial & availability constraints Plant Selection: Project goals & objectives Select plant material with an eye toward 1. Directly fulfilling goals & objectives ONLY! Unconnected species may identify unstated goals /objectives 2. Restoration as a long term process (succession mgmt) Material reasonable for successional stage(s) Reservoirs of propagules for future successional stages 3. Other ecological principles influencing project Biogeography, patch dynamics, etc. 4. Maintenance needs & likely support How likely is maintenance relative to needs? Right plant right place Abiotic site characteristics important in determining plant selection (original & amended) 2 Handouts Rodney s list Sound Native Plants Books Grow your own native landscape Others listed on handout Web sites Right plant right place Abiotic site characteristics important in determining plant selection (original & amended) 1. Plant species exhibit a range of environmental tolerance Changes with life stage Varies with genetic stock (ecotypes) Varies with season Varies with form of plant material used 2. Consider more than the average conditions extremes & variability timing

2 Abiotic site characteristics important in determining plant selection Moisture Considerations BELOWGROUND FACTORS Soil moisture constraints (too dry, too wet, timing) Water source (timing, chemistry) Soil characteristics influencing retention (texture, structure, OM, topography) Competition for moisture (timing) Abiotic site characteristics important in determining plant selection Soil Nutrient Considerations BELOWGROUND FACTORS More nutrients better soil Happy soil doesn t always mean happy outcomes Many natives tolerant of limited nutrient supply rates Invasives often happy with high nutrient availability Soil OM is often listed a criteria complex effects Soil nutrient concentrations nutrient availability Organic mulches can have complex effects on soil nutrients (decomposition, mineralization, microbial immobilization) Slope Considerations Abiotic site characteristics important in determining plant selection BELOWGROUND FACTORS Slope stability & erosion issues may influence plant species & form selection Identify the problem (surface erosion slope stability) Investigate species rooting characteristics & propagation (can be difficult to find information) Abiotic site characteristics important in determining plant selection ABOVEGROUND FACTORS Sunlight considerations Sunlight availability (too much, too little, timing, seasonal changes) Tolerance of extremes relative to growth stage Interaction with moisture & temperature Abiotic site characteristics important in determining plant selection ABOVEGROUND FACTORS Temperature considerations Thermal stress uncommon in Puget lowlands Can be a local lproblem in interaction ti with moisture and dlight Wind considerations Exacerbates drought stress in exposed locales Can be a problem for container stock Some tree species may pose eventual safety issues Ecological context Consider the ecological context when choosing plant material 1. What effects will biological interactions have on the success of selected species? 2. What ecological functions are enhanced / restored by the selection of this species? 3. What ecological role(s) does this species play? At present In the future

3 Competition Competitive context has a strong influence on survival May affect choice of plant form as well as species Consider details of potential competitive interactions What is being competed for? Does this shift with time (seasonal; long term)? Selecting competitive species (to battle invasives) Carefully consider the above two questions Consider their long term effects on succession (arrested?) Herbivory Presence of strong herbivores can influence plant selection May affect choice of plant form as well as species (Cost and survival considerations) Timing of herbivory relative to plant activity Consider whether potential deterrents, protection or overplanting will be possible and sufficient for desired species Is herbivory desirable (driving succession)? Habitat Factors 1 Handout Native plants for wildlife (King Co.) Books Landscaping for wildlife (Link) Others Web sites Habitat Factors Plant species, density & dispersion create overall habitat structure Vertical & horizontal structure for physical features (e.g., cover) and biota (e.g., prey). Plant species as sources of structural habitat elements Woody debris to forest floor Features critical to reproduction (e.g., nest sites, egg mass attachment sites) CPOM to stream How long before species provides such elements? Habitat Factors Plant species as sources of food Pollen, seeds, fruits, leaf material, etc. Community Development / Succession Seed beds, seedling protection Will the selected species provide future beds or protection for coming species? Are these already in place? Pollination, seed dispersal Are needed pollinators or seed dispersers in place? Will the selected species provide habitat for such organisms? Soil fungi Are needed mycorrhizal fungi in place?

4 Genetic Factors Selection of locally adapted races / ecotypes can be important for plant success, ecological success, & local genetic integrity Selection of some species with certain sources and forms (e.g., clonal species or live stakes from limited stock) can reduce genetic diversity. Plant Selection: Information Sources See handout on information sources and resources on class web site Plant Selection: Social considerations Some human / social considerations in determining plant selection Safety Some projects require plant selection that considers aspects of public safety Dense vegetation and safety view corridors Woody material fall Hazards for children Impact Management Some projects require plant selection that help to manage human movement and impact Dense or thorny vegetation to deter paths Plant Selection: Social considerations Some human / social considerations in determining plant selection Aesthetics Some projects require plant selection that considers aesthetic needs of stakeholders View corridors Color and texture Cultural / Educational Some projects require plant selection that fulfill cultural and/or educational objectives Plant selection for cultural importance (display or use) Plant selection for educational use Plant Selection: Commercial considerations Some commercial considerations in determining plant selection Availability Rapid commercial acquisition can be difficult Limited number of growers / distributors Native plant growing remains more project (order) based Orders usually placed months (or years) prior to delivery Material of local provenance not always available Plant Selection: Commercial considerations Some commercial considerations in determining plant selection Financial Limited market commercial material can be expensive Species with less expensive available forms may be preferred (salvage, stakes, bare root, overstock, seed, etc.)

5 Plant Forms & Sources in Restoration Projects 5 Handouts Which native plants should I use? (Leigh 1999) Advantages and disadvantages of different forms of planting material (Ewing) Plants available for use in native plant projects in western Washington (Sound Native Plants) Live stakes and cuttings (Sound Native Plants) Salvaging native plants (Sound Native Plants) Plant Forms & Restoration Projects Understanding of plant horticulture & propagation is important in the selection of plant form to use Wide variety of forms based upon sexual and vegetative propagation Wide variety of lingo No one form is best it depends Forms available vary with time & serendipity Some forms may or may not be interchangeable for project goals & objectives Plant Forms & Restoration Projects Plant Forms & Restoration Projects Whole Plants (in soil) Container plants Ball & burlap (B&B) Seedlings (liners) Plugs (in trays) Tree tubes Whole Plants (bare roots) Bare root plants Seedlings (sets, divisions) Transplants Salvage plants Divisions (e.g., rhizomatous plants) Pull ups (live rooted saplings) Cores; sod Sexual Propagules Seeds Haying Soil seed bank Vegetative Reproduction Live stakes (hardwood cuttings) Layering (stems, tips, etc.) Bulbs, rhizomes, corms Containers Immediate size impact; storage & transport easy; available year round Expensive; hidden root problems; root system adjusted to artificial conditions Immediate size impact; Expensive; hidden root Containers storage & transport problems; root system easy; available year adjusted to artificial round conditions Cheap; lightweight Limited timing (available Bare root (transport); easy to store in winter; plant before (sawdust beds) active); limited species

6 Immediate size impact; Expensive; hidden root Containers storage & transport problems; root system easy; available year adjusted to artificial round conditions Cheap; lightweight Limited timing (available Bare root (transport); easy to store in winter; plant before (sawdust beds) active); limited species Salvage Free; moral satisfaction; can be moderately large Unpredictable availability; some species better than others (timing important); often need to replant quickly Layering Free; rapid spread (bioengineering) Limited species Layering Plugs (in trays) Free; rapid spread (bioengineering) Cheap; easy; rapid establishment for some rhizomatous species Limited species Root problems in small soil volume Layering Plugs (in trays) Cores Free; rapid spread (bioengineering) Cheap; easy; rapid establishment for some rhizomatous species Cheap; easy; comes with native soil; rapid establishment for some rhizomatous species Limited species Root problems in small soil volume Weeds may come along; damage to harvest areas Live stakes Cheap to free; easy & fast (rapid planting with volunteers); rapid establishment & cover Limited species; timing critical (harvest when dormant, plant before leafout); low genetic diversity Live stakes Seed Cheap to free; easy & fast (rapid planting with volunteers); rapid establishment & cover Cheap to free; easy to transport, store & distribute Limited species; timing critical (harvest when dormant, plant before leafout); low genetic diversity High mortality (predation, disease, germination); slow establishment; not good in wetlands

7 Plant Forms & Restoration Projects A principle to keep in mind when selecting forms, installing plants &caringforthem Draw: a plant the resources it needs where it gets them how it takes them in Student answer Balance among plants organs responsible for resource acquisition that maximizes performance in a given environment Balance among plants organs responsible for resource acquisition that maximizes performance in a given environment Draw expected functional equilibria of plant roots vs. shoots in these 2 sunny environments Dry soil Student answer Moist soil Balance among plants organs responsible for resource acquisition that maximizes performance in a given environment An application Applying the idea: Live Stakes Nursery raised Native conditions Moist + Nutrients Dry Nutrients Even if root bound, fine roots often limited

8 Live Stakes Student answer Answer one of the questions and diagram the bases for your answers using the idea of functional equilibrium: Circle question you answer How long should the cut piece be? Is it a problem to cut & plant stakes after buds have burst? Plant sources & restoration projects Native Plant Nurseries Lists on class web site Lists on Conservation District web sites List on my web site King County: yard and garden/native plant nurseries washington.aspxaspx Salvage Events Keep your eyes open King County: Bare root material King Conservation District annual sale Snohomish Conservation District annual sale Project workshop on plant selection & forms Based upon your project site assessment select two different polygons For the first polygon choose 5 primary species & forms Draw where you would put them Justify each plant species selection & forms Site: Student answer Polygon 1: 5 species, where? why? Site: Student answer Polygon 2: 5 species, where? why?

9 UW REN Capstone Autumn 2008 Northwest Native Plant Species Selection: Selected Sources of Information on Environmental Tolerances I. Handouts Provided Common native plants of lowland Puget Sound (information compiled by Rodney Pond) week 1 handout Environmental conditions favorable for establishment of outplanted/transplanted plants (Sound Native Plants) II. General Books Apostol, D. and M. Sinclair Restoring the Pacific Northwest: the art and science of ecological restoration in Cascadia. Island Press. Cooke, S A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington and Northwestern Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle. Klinka, K. et al Indicator Plants of Coastal British Columbia. UBC Press, Vancouver. Kruckeberg, A.R Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle. Leigh, M Grow Your Own Native Landscape: a guide to identifying, propagating and landscaping with western Washington native plants. WSU Cooperative Extension Publication. Pojar, J. and A. McKinnon Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. 2 nd edition. Lone Pine Press, Vancouver. Rose, R. et al Propagation of Pacific Northwest Native Plants. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis. III. Web Sources WA Native Plants (Burke Museum): Fourth Corner Nursery: Sound Native Plants: King County: WSU Native Plants Sites: USDA Plants Database: USDA Forest Service Fire Effects Information Database: ESRM 412 (Native Plant Propagation) Plant Database: Rainy Side Gardeners Native Plant Guide: South Puget Sound Prairie Working Group:

10 UW REN Capstone Autumn 2008 Northwest Native Plant Species Selection: Selected Sources of Information on Wildlife Habitats I. Handouts Provided Native plants for wildlife by King County Wildlife Program II. General Books & Publications Azous, A. and R.R. Horner Wetlands and Urbanization: implications for the future. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida (a number of chapters on PNW wildlife groups and wetland habitats) Corkran, C.C. and C. Thoms Amphibians of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Lone Pine Press, Vancouver. Johnson, D.H. and T.A. O Neil Wildlife Habitat Relationships in Oregon and Washington. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis. Leonard, W.P. et al Amphibians of Washington and Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle. Link, R Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle. Stinson, C Native Woody Plants for Wildlife Puget Sound Area. USDA, NRCS (possibly available through King Conservation District). III. Web Sources Beaver habitat & management (King County): Birdweb (Seattle Audubon Society): Living with Wildlife (WA DFW): Natural Heritage of WA (Burke Museum): Priority Habitats & Species (WA DFW): Recommendations for using bare root wetland plants (Fourth Corner Nursery): (has section on wildlife values) South Puget Sound Prairie Working Group: Washington GAP Analysis Project (WA DFW):

11 UW REN Capstone Autumn 2008 Northwest Native Plant Species Selection: Selected Sources of Information on Plant Forms, Sources & Propagation I. Handouts Provided Advantages and disadvantages of different forms of planting material (Kern Ewing) handout on course web site Plants available for use in native plant projects in western Washington (Sound Native Plants) Live stakes and cuttings (Sound Native Plants) & Salvaging native plants (Sound Native Plants) Which native plants should I use? (excerpted from Leigh 1999) II. General Books & Articles Darris, D.C Ability of Pacific Northwest Native Shrubs to Root from Hardwood Cuttings (with Summary of Propagation Methods for 22 Species). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Material Technical Note No. 30. available at: Kruckeberg, A.R Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle. Leigh, M Grow Your Own Native Landscape: a guide to identifying, propagating and landscaping with western Washington native plants. WSU Cooperative Extension Publication. Rose, R. et al Propagation of Pacific Northwest Native Plants. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis. III. Web Sources Getting Native Plants (WSU Extension): Native Plant Nurseries (King Conservation District): pdf Native Plant Nurseries (King County): yard andgarden/native plant nurseries washington.aspx I. General Books Northwest Native Plant Species Selection: Selected Sources of Information on Ethnobotany & Native Culture Gunther, E Ethnobotany of Western Washington: the knowledge and use of indigenous plants by Native Americans. University of Washington Press, Seattle. Pojar, J. and A. McKinnon Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. 2 nd edition. Lone Pine Press, Vancouver. Turner, N.J Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver. Turner, N.J Plant Technology of First Peoples in British Columbia. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver.