English

Abstract

Critical wildlife habitat supporting mule deer, antelope, and sage grouse in high elevation rangeland and sagebrush ecosystems of southwest Wyoming is threatened by energy development and residential sprawl, resulting in a declining forage base. Restoring disturbances with diverse plant communities is needed. Our objectives were to assess establishment and persistence of native grass, forb, and shrubs, and to test seed mixtures and seeding techniques. In October 2005, 72 entries of 50 native species were drill-seeded on a reclaimed well-pad site, in single-species plots in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Also, two seed mixtures were broadcast- and drill-seeded, and one seed mixture was hydroseeded on disturbed areas adjacent to the plots. In replicated plots, density of seeded species was recorded in each of the 3 years post-seeding, and biomass was clipped from grass plots in 2008. Density by species was counted in mixture plots. In replicated plots, ANOVA showed plant counts depended on seeded species. Of the grasses, densities of L-46 basin wildrye (72 plants/m 2 ), 'Sodar' streambank wheatgrass (47 plants/m 2 ), and 'Critana' thickspike wheatgrass (37 plants/m 2 ) were greater than other grasses; 'Appar' blue flax (11 plants/m 2 ), Richfield Eaton's and Old Works fuzzytongue penstemon (5 plants/m 2 ) were greater than other forbs; and 'Wytana' fourwing saltbush (7 plants/m 2 ), Snake River Plains fourwing saltbush (4 plants/m 2 ), and 9016134 Gardner's saltbush (1.4 plants/m 2 ) were greater than other shrubs. The most biomass was produced by L-46, Washoe, and 'Trailhead' basin wildryes, and Critana thickspike wheatgrass. Establishment of the broadcast-seeded Shell and Bridger mixtures were 140,923 and 78,309 plants/ha, respectively. Establishment of the drill-seeded Bridger and Shell mixtures were 45,865 and 34,706 plants/ha, respectively. The Shell mixture hydro-seeding was unsuccessful. Short-term results provide recommendations for native plant restoration. Relatively low establishment of forbs and shrubs indicate more work is needed to develop these plant materials and technologies.