Establishment of Wildflower Islands to Enhance Roadside Health, Ecological Value, and Aesthetics Phase II
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2023-03-31
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Edition:Final Report July 1, 2020 – March 31, 2023
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Abstract:Roadsides play an ever-increasing role in sustaining biodiversity. In 2020, we launched a project on backslopes along Highways 2 and 77 evaluating seeding and mowing treatments to enhance beneficial forbs including milkweed (Asclepias spp.) species. Analyses showed that seeding increased forb diversity, total forb cover, and floristic quality. However, mowing effects were less clear. Forb cover was higher on plots that were mowed in October 2020 before seeding, but effects of pre-mowing varied with site. The combination of pre-mowing and seeding was most effective at increasing floristic quality of the Highway 2 site. However, mowing after seeding in early July did not improve forb establishment. Accumulation of dead plant matter on the soil surface (i.e., litter) appeared to have a strong impact on forb density in the first year of the study. This research provides information on the limitations and opportunities in planting native wildflower seed into roadsides with previously established vegetation. Insight from this report will help guide recommendations and future research on the best management practices for Nebraska roadsides.
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