Seed mix design and application to overcome seed limitation in floodplain forest restorations
Floodplain forests are vital for biodiversity, water filtration, and flood control, necessitating their restoration to preserve ecological functions and benefits to humans. Despite efforts to reintroduce canopy species, understory vegetation often remains different from that of remnant forests. Utilizing the species pool model and indicator species analysis, I identified 36 indicator species for restoration. This approach exposed significant differences between species from remnant and restored sites and the limitations of commercial seed mixes. By proposing a framework for seed selection based on this model, I aimed to enhance the similarity of restored understories to those of remnant forests and improve restoration outcomes. Active seeding experiments showed a decrease in non-native species cover and an increase in plant diversity, although short-term changes in the cover of planted species were minimal. This research underscores the importance of tailored, evidence-based seed mixes for forest ecosystem restoration and highlights the need for long-term studies to optimize restoration strategies.
