Revegetating Desert Cut Slopes with Containerized Native Shrubs

摘要

Revegetating highway cut slopes in the California high desert was done to control erosion, restore wildlife habitat, and improve aesthetics. The objective was to compare relative success among three sources of plant materials: nonlocal seedlings purchased from nurseries in Utah and Washington, nonlocally gathered seed purchased from nurseries in Utah and Washington and seedlings raised locally in California by Caltrans and others, seed collected and seedlings raised locally in California by Caltrans and others. Four cut slopes were planted along US 395 in Inyo and Mono Counties, California with containerized native shrubs. Extra water was given to half the plants in the first growing season; survival was comparable to plants not watered. Project survival (65%) was considered good for a desert planting project: 700 live plants of 1080. Presoaking plant holes one week before planting, hardening plants, adding soil amendment, and using cages enhanced survival.