Revegetation of disturbed arctic sites: constraints and applications

Abstract

A large number of studies have involved the revegetation of arctic sites disturbed by anthropogenic processes, especially in Iceland, Alaska, Canada and Russia. Often the immediate aim has been the establishment of plant cover to provide insulation and to stop erosional processes. The restoration of the former plant assemblages is a long-term goal, but will generally depend on natural processes. Surrogate non-native species, particularly graminoids, have been introduced to hasten the establishment of plant cover. At some sites these species have persisted and spread with little likelihood that the original plant assemblages will re-establish in the immediate future. In contrast to gravel, sandy and saline soils, rates of revegetation in wetlands have been comparatively high reflecting, in part, the use of clonal propagation techniques in addition to seed applications. Overall there has been considerable success at revegetating sites disturbed by human influences in a region where seed production is often unpredictable, and seedling establishment infrequent, but whether former plant assemblages ultimately will re-establish remains uncertain.