Collection and production of indigenous plant material for national park restoration

Abstract

The National Park Service is taking the "Restoration" approach to reestablishing native plant communities by salvaging topsoil and by seeding and planting native indigenous plant materials. In this way, they are making every effort to protect the genetic integrity of the often unique native plant resource. Since 1985, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks have been working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plant Materials Center in Bridger, MT, to identify native plant species from which seed can be readily collected, propagated on a large scale, and successfully reestablished on disturbed roadsides. Early colonizers are utilized for initial protection and stabilization, but late seral dominant species are added to mixtures to add longevity to resulting plant communities.

Parent Publication

• Revegetation with native species: Proceedings, 1997 Society for Ecological Restoration annual meeting; 1997 November 12-15; Fort Lauderdale, FL

Citation

Majerus, Mark. 1999. Collection and production of indigenous plant material for national park restoration. In: Holzworth, Larry K.; Brown, Ray W., comps. Revegetation with native species: Proceedings, 1997 Society for Ecological Restoration annual meeting; 1997 November 12-15; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Proc. RMRS-P-8. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 17-21.