Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #409364
Research Project: Science and Technologies for the Sustainable Management of Western Rangeland Systems

Location: Range Management Research

Title: Seeding more broadly: Sharing native plant species lists and restoration information with wide audiences

Author
item Young, Kristina
item LAWSON, BRANDLEY - Utah State University
item GUNNELL, CHASE - Utah State University
item GUNNELL, KEVIN - Utah Division Of Wildlife Resources
item MOORE, LIZ - Utah Division Of Natural Resources
item NIELSON, NICOLE - Utah Division Of Natural Resources
item WHEELER, MINDY - Utah State University
item GORNISH, ELISE - University Of Arizona

Submitted to: Society for Ecological Restoration Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2023
Publication Date: 11/18/2023
Citation: Young, K.E., Lawson, B.S., Gunnell, C., Gunnell, K., Moore, L., Nielson, N., Wheeler, M., Gornish, E. 2023. Seeding more broadly: Sharing native plant species lists and restoration information with wide audiences. Society for Ecological Restoration Symposium. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Climate and land use changes are resulting in rapid declines in the health and productivity of ecosystems across Southwestern ecosystems. However, despite enormous financial and logistical effort, current restoration approaches, including seeding and re-vegetation, are still inadequate to stem plant extinctions and replenish species loss. Extension surveys have concluded that restoration success is limited because stakeholders have not been supplied with the tools and strategies needed to adequately design and deploy effective management strategies. To address this need, we deployed a targeted web-based information portal for seed selection and ecological restoration in Utah and Arizona. Within these information portals, we created a native plant species tool to provide stakeholders with a list of native plant species best suited to their location and restoration goals. The plant species list was compiled by working with land management agencies, seed producers, and nurseries to create a comprehensive list of native plant seeds available for use by stakeholders. Using publicly available databases (e.g., USDA plants) and research articles, we created a database of species characteristics, species occurrence, habitat information, and functional characteristics related to each native plant species. The database and resultant tool allow users to input information in a user-friendly way and results in a native plant species list with species best suited to the user’s location and restoration goals. By having access to resources, stakeholders can make informed decisions on appropriate native species to seed or plant, helping stem the loss of native species and meet restoration goals.