Revegetation of sandy slopes following road construction is difficult because of a number of factors, including droughtiness, infertility, and temperature extremes. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Communications conducted studies to examine alternative plant species for revegetation projects along Northern and Central Ontario road sides. Studies focused on the use of three sedge and three grass species in relation to standard treatments. The six study species were (a) carex aenea, sedge; (b) c. Houghtoniana, sedge; (c) c. Lucorum, sedge; (d) andropogon scoparius, little bluestem; (e) panicumvirgatum, switchgrass; and (f) sporobolus cryptandrus, sand dropseed. After a program of seed collection, germination testing, and test plot planting, the potential of these plant materials for revegetation is better understood. The practicality of using the sedges studied for revegetation will be limited by a number of factors, including scattered, small seed sources and variable and low-seed germination rates. The grasses studied have more immediate potential for revegetation. Although seed is commercially available, one difficulty maybe locating seed sources from areas with a climate similar to Central and Northern Ontario.
Abstract