Project Number: 5360-21630-001-05
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Dec 01, 2012
End Date: Jun 30, 2013

Objective:
Project Objective 1: Identify and map key biotic and abiotic factors controlling seedling establishment across a heterogeneous landscape, and determine where newly developed seed-coating technologies and traditional reseeding strategies can be cost-effectively applied at spatial scales relevant to restoration practitioners. Project Objective 2: Seek useful relationships between process knowledge developed in Objective 1 to develop GIS-based models that: 1) predict the ecological barriers to reseeding success across a heterogeneous landscape, and 2) estimate the appropriate reseeding technology that can overcome these barriers. Project Objective 3: Provide a landscape-scale demonstration of how seed-coating technologies and traditional reseeding methods can be cost-effectively applied across a heterogeneous landscape. Project Objective 4: Conduct cost-benefit analysis of seed-coating treatments in relationship to standard restoration practices. Project Objective 5: Execute a comprehensive communication and outreach strategy to target audiences.

Approach:
FY 13 Tasks • Quantify differences in seed bed parameters important for seedling establishment within different ecology sites at the USDA-ARS Northern Great Basin Experimental Range. • Plant first years seed coating small plot study and compare survival performance of the different treatments through key demographic plant • Begin compiling measured and publically available ecological site characteristic data for incorporation into GIS-based models. • Initiate planning for large-scale demonstration at the Brocken Circle Ranch. • Begin engaging key stakeholders and seek additional funding to expand project (i.e. apply for a NRCS – Conservation Innovation Grant, FWS – Partners for Fish & Wildlife Grant, seek additional industry, private and agency funding sources). • Determine direct and effective costs associate with current rangeland reseeding practices. • Initiate research for determining direct and effective costs of newly developed seed coating treatments evaluated in this project. • Provide a field demonstration of seed coating technologies being evaluated in this proposal to land managers as part of Burns-ARS Range Field Day (June 26, 2012). • Identify and initiate precommercialization interactions with value chain members. • Start work on a publication that presents a state-of-the-art review on the use of seed coating technology's in rangelands.