Soil Surface Treatments and Precipitation Timing Determine Seedling Development Across Southwestern US Restoration Sites

Photo 1. RestoreNet site at the Canyonlands Research Center tests seeding with pits (small depressions), ConMods (artificial nurse plants), and mulch. Photo credit: Katherine Laushman, US Geological Survey. Photo 2. Connectivity modifiers (ConMods) at RestoreNet sites serve as artificial nurse plants that create a favorable microclimate for developing seedings. Photo credit: Katherine Laushman, US Geological Survey. Photo 3. Katherine Laushman monitors seedling emergence, survival, and growth inside RestoreNet pit and seeding treatments. Photo credit: Molly McCormick, US Geological Survey. These photographs illustrate the article “Soil surface treatments and precipitation timing determine seedling development across southwestern US restoration sites” by Farrell, H.L., Munson, S.M., Butterfield, B.J., Duniway, M.C., Faist, A.M., Gornish, E.S., Havrilla, C.A., Larios, L., Reed, S.C., Rowe, H.I. and Laushman, K.M published in Ecological Applications. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2834