Establishing Vascular Plants From Seeds Around Pool Margins in Restored Peatlands

Authors:
Poulin M., Landry T., Laberge V., Rochefort L.

Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Stockholm

Keywords:
biodiversity, cyperaceae, plant-nursery, seed-germination, substrate-conditions

Documentfile:
Poulin et al 2012: Establishing Vascular Plants From Seeds Around Pool Margins in Restored Peatlands

Summary:

Theme V. Restoration, rehabilitation and after-use of disturbed peatlands

SUMMARY

Pools increase the ecological value of restored peatlands. We conducted greenhouse and field experiments on the following vascular plant species: Carex limosa, C. magellanica, C. oligosperma, C. pauciflora, Drosera intermedia, Eriophorum virginicum, Rhychospora alba, and Scheuchzeria palustris. For most species, germination was greater with water level near the surface (0 cm) and on seedbed composed of bare peat or Sphagnum carpets instead of liverwort mats composed of Cladopodiella fluitans.

The substrate stability around pools can be improved by planting Ericaceae, which reduced frost heaving and in turn increased Sphagnum establishment. Introducing seeds simultaneously with Sphagnum fragments appears to be a better option than waiting for a complete establishment of mosses. These results will help restoration practices by identifying the best ecological conditions for the successful establishment of pool edge species.