REN R495 Lecture 8: Plant Species Selection Jan 31
5 Feb 2019
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Document Summary
Consider plant community structure, function and composition. Goal for selecting species may change over time. Root type, depth, spread, mass: erosion control want tap root more. Ecosystem services: erosion control, nutrient cycling, etc. Rapid ground cover for certification in a given time. Legislation may require specific species, native vs. non-native. Cultivar, variety select for desirable traits, limits genetic diversity. Alien species same as non-native but arrived as a result of direct or indirect human activity, invasive species. Evolved over many years so better adapted to local conditions. Better adapted to harsher, extreme environmental conditions. Fewer inputs required, especially long term: need less water and fertilizer. Many cases important for medicine or provide habitat for wildlife (higher correlation) Slow to germinate and establish: good competitors but harder to establish. Inadequate knowledge about reproductive cycle, nutrient requirements, germination, propagation, management. Suitability and capability for reclamation not always known. Provenance specificity is adaptability of species to a geographical area.
