Microsite creation increases native plant density and biomass in a semiarid grassland restoration

Degradation in drylands is widespread, yet our ability to restore dryland native plant communities is nearly nonexistent. Recruitment from seed is often <10%, due to many factors including harsh conditions that lead to seed dormancy and seedling mortality and high levels of competition with invasive species. Degradation exacerbates these challenges by decreasing topography, water-holding capacity in soil, and perennial vegetation which can act as microsites for seed regeneration. In this experiment, we tested soil pits, biochar soil amendments, and seed pellets as three strategies to create seed microsites and ameliorate harsh conditions in a degraded landscape. We measured seedling density and biomass of both native and non-native species after one growing season. We also assessed impacts of the treatments on soil microbial communities. Seeding alone, with or without a seed pellet, did not result in seedlings in the absence of other treatments. Microsite creation increased native plant density by about 10-fold, and biomass by about 100-fold, compared to controls. Native plant biomass was even higher-about 300-fold greater than controls-with the addition of biochar to the microsites. Non-native seedling density and biomass was also highest, by about 10-fold and 6-10-fold, in pits and pits with biochar, respectively. Soil moisture was significantly higher in microsites, likely driving these native and non-native vegetation trends. There was no effect of seed pellets on plant density or biomass, and in most cases, pellets performed slightly worse than broadcast bare seeds. Bacterial communities in reference soils did not differ from those in degraded areas, but there were differences in response to the microsite treatments. Our results support our hypothesis that microsite limitation, coupled with seed limitation, poses a barrier to seeded restoration in highly degraded semiarid grasslands. Addressing this barrier could improve stubbornly low plant recruitment rates in dryland restoration, making projects more effective.