Restoration of native plant communities: an examination of seed limitation and microsite limitation in the Garry oak ecosystem.

Abstract

The Garry oak ecosystem is one of the most highly degraded ecosystems in North America due to fragmentation, development, and conversion to incompatible uses, with less than three percent of the ecosystem dominated by native plants (Noss 1995; Crawford and Hall 1997). Despite recognition of the dire state of the ecosystem, the best path toward recovery has been unclear. The research in this dissertation addresses questions fundamental to the restoration of the Garry oak ecosystem. We ask (1) are the native plant species commonly used for restoration of this ecosystem more seed limited or more microsite limited (Chapter 1); (2) which common restoration treatments provide the best opportunity for recruitment when seed is added (Chapter 2); and (3) what is the best way to determine the success of a restoration experiment that includes both seed addition and adaptive management techniques (Chapter 3)?