Early growth of environmental plantings in relation to site and management factors

In extensively cleared areas of temperate Australia, large‐scale mixed‐species environmental revegetation is often recommended to address land and water degradation in rural landscapes. Although survival and growth are central to the success of revegetation, there is very limited information on this aspect of practice. We investigated how site and management practices influence early growth by surveying 29 planted or direct‐seeded sites, covering ages from 3–6 years, in north central Victoria, Australia. We measured heights and crown widths of trees and shrubs at each site and estimated average growth over time at the scale of: (i) individual trees or shrubs (mean height increment) and (ii) stand (vegetation cover increment and a ‘height integral’ increment variable, which integrates differences in both height and stand density). Relationships between growth increment variables and site factors, including climate, site preparation and land‐use history, were investigated to identify the main factors influencing early growth rates. Mean annual increment in height of individual trees was significantly higher for trees established from tubestock than those from direct seeding. Multiple linear regression models for two growth variables, cover increment and height integral increment, explained 61% and 38% of the variation, respectively, but with high uncertainty. Ploughing, pre‐establishment weed control and fertiliser addition improved growth rates. Revegetation method had a significant effect on early growth; at the scale of individuals, growth rates were higher for planted tubestock than for direct seeding, while at the stand scale, growth rates were higher for direct seeding than for planted tubestock.     

Establishment of native grassland vegetation at Organ Pipes National Park near Melbourne, Victoria: Vegetation changes from 1989 to 2003

Summary Native grassland establishment works undertaken on former agricultural land at Organ Pipes National Park, Victoria, during the 1980s were monitored from 1989 to 2003 to assess whether re‐introduced native plant populations had established and persisted at the site. Trends in vegetation were determined by examining the composition and cover of native and weed species in permanent transects at 2‐year intervals. The average number of native and weed species in plots changed little over 15 years, although weed species richness exhibited great variability. Of the 85 native species introduced to the grassland by seed, sods and tubestock, 33 were still present in 2003. The dominant native species, Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), the native intertussock spear grasses (Austrostipa spp.), and the nationally endangered Large‐headed Groundsel (Senecio macrocarpus), have become common elements of the grassland but most other native species remain minor components. The cover of native and weed species has fluctuated dramatically over the study period in response to fire and drought. While the site remains largely weedy, the project has served to introduce native species into a secure reserve. It is clear that on‐going management (weed control, fire) and supplemental plantings will be necessary to maintain and expand the native species populations in the re‐established grassland.     

Effect of some selective herbicide oversprays on newly emerged eucalypt and hopbush seedlings in Central Western New South Wales

Summary   Unlike parts of Victoria and South Australia, direct seeding of woody plants has been unreliable in Central Western New South Wales where failures have been attributed to low rates of seedling emergence and competition from herbaceous weeds. We investigated the usefulness of overspraying newly emerged seedlings of eucalypt ( Eucalyptus spp.) and Narrow-leaf Hopbush ( Dodonaea viscosa ssp. angustissima ) in an existing or potentially weedy seedbed using a grass-selective herbicide (Fusilade^® or Sertin^®) and/or a soil-residual herbicide (Simazine^®). These treatments were investigated at two sites over three sowing seasons in Central Western NSW. In most cases, the herbicides failed to enhance seedling survival because grasses were not the main component of the weed species present or because the herbicide damaged the seedlings. Hopbush was relatively tolerant to Simazine but eucalypt seedlings were not, particularly at the site with sandy soils. Grass-selective herbicides did not appear to damage seedlings. Suggestions for increasing the reliability of direct seeding in this region are presented.     

Post‐fire recovery of revegetated woodland communities in south‐eastern Australia

The primary goal of restoration is to create self‐sustaining ecological communities that are resilient to periodic disturbance. Currently, little is known about how restored communities respond to disturbance events such as fire and how this response compares to remnant vegetation. Following the 2003 fires in south‐eastern Australia we examined the post‐fire response of revegetation plantings and compared this to remnant vegetation. Ten burnt and 10 unburnt (control) sites were assessed for each of three types of vegetation (direct seeding revegetation, revegetation using nursery seedlings (tubestock) and remnant woodland). Sixty sampling sites were surveyed 6 months after fire to quantify the initial survival of mid‐ and overstorey plant species in each type of vegetation. Three and 5 years after fire all sites were resurveyed to assess vegetation structure, species diversity and vigour, as well as indicators of soil function. Overall, revegetation showed high (>60%) post‐fire survival, but this varied among species depending on regeneration strategy (obligate seeder or resprouter). The native ground cover, mid‐ and overstorey in both types of plantings showed rapid recovery of vegetation structure and cover within 3 years of fire. This recovery was similar to the burnt remnant woodlands. Non‐native (exotic) ground cover initially increased after fire, but was no different in burnt and unburnt sites 5 years after fire. Fire had no effect on species richness, but burnt direct seeding sites had reduced species diversity (Simpson's Diversity Index) while diversity was higher in burnt remnant woodlands. Indices of soil function in all types of vegetation had recovered to levels found in unburnt sites 5 years after fire. These results indicate that even young revegetation (stands <10 years old) showed substantial recovery from disturbance by fire. This suggests that revegetation can provide an important basis for restoring woodland communities in the fire‐prone Australian environment.     

Potential of direct seeding for establishing native plants into pastoral land in New Zealand

Native plants are an important part of New Zealand?s uniqueness, and there is increasing awareness of the need to maintain these species in managed landscapes, particularly pastoral areas, in addition to the country?s conservation lands. The most widely used method of establishing native plants is transplanting nursery-grown seedlings, and for many species, much experience and knowledge has been gained in using this technique. Establishment of native plants in the field by direct seeding is a potentially useful alternative technique-which has been evaluated in the North and South Islands only to a limited extent. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on the direct seeding of species into pastoral areas. It covers site and species selection, seed availability and quality, site preparation, and post-sowing management. It also compares the economics of native plant establishment by transplanting and by direct seeding. Direct seeding of pastoral areas is a relatively cheap technique, but its general applicability is currently limited because of frequently inadequate supplies of viable seed, lack of knowledge on appropriate sowing times and rates, unreliable field germination and seedling emergence, and frequent intense competition from existing vegetation, particularly exotic grasses.     

Restoration of Tropical Moist Forests on Bauxite-Mined Lands in the Brazilian Amazon

We evaluated forest structure and composition in 9- to 13-year-old stands established on a bauxite-mined site at Trombetas (Pará), Brazil, using four different reforestation techniques following initial site preparation and topsoil replacement. These techniques included reliance on natural forest regeneration, mixed commercial species plantings of mostly exotic timber trees, direct seeding with mostly native early successional tree species, and mixed native species plantings of more than 70 tree species (the current operational restoration treatment at this site). Replicated fixed-radius plots in each treatment and in undisturbed primary forest were used to quantify the canopy and understory structure and the abundance and diversity of all vascular plant species. Treatment comparisons considered regeneration density, species richness and diversity for all floristic categories, and, for trees and shrubs, the relative contribution of initial planting and subsequent regeneration from soil seed banks and seed inputs from nearby primary forests. With the possible exception of the stands of mixed commercial species, which were superior to all others in terms of tree basal-area development but relatively poor in species richness, all treatments were structurally and floristically diverse, with a high probability of long-term restoration success. Of these, the mixed native species plantings appeared to be at least risk of arrested succession due to the dominance of a broader range of tree species of different successional stages or expected life spans. In all treatments, several locally important families of primary forest trees (Annonaceae, Chrysobalanaceae, Lauraceae, Palmae and Sapotaceae) were markedly underrepresented due to a combination of poor survival of initial plantings and limitations on seed dispersal from the surrounding primary forest.     

Translocation trials confirm specific factors affecting the establishment of three endangered plant species

Summary Experimental translocations of three endangered plants undertaken in South Australia confirmed the impact of specific factors thought to affect the survival and establishment of seedlings of each species. A trial involving Prostanthera eurybioides planted into several different microsites, found microsite to be a critical determinant of survival and growth. Herbivore grazing and weed competition adversely affected survival and growth of Acacia cretacea and Acacia whibleyana translocants, respectively. While these findings may not necessarily extrapolate to all species, common sense suggests that these three factors should be important considerations when planning other plant translocations. For example, attention needs to be given to the exact placement of individuals in relation to suitable edaphic, biotic and climatic factors around the receptor site. Where weeds threaten the population, they need to be controlled either before or at the time of planting. Furthermore, protection of new plantings from herbivores is likely to be crucial, particularly during the first few months after planting.     

Seed and seedling responses to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and root nodule bacteria: implications for restoration of degraded Mediterranean‐type Tuart woodlands

Inoculation with beneficial soil microorganisms has the potential to enhance success of restoration, particularly in harsh Mediterranean‐type ecosystems (MTEs). We investigated the effects of microorganisms (mycorrhizal fungi and root nodule bacteria) and planting material (seed and nursery‐raised seedlings) on early establishment and growth of two key postdisturbance colonizing species with different life histories, life forms and functional types (Eucalyptus gomphocephala and Acacia saligna) under field conditions. Establishment and growth were monitored at 13 months, following the first MTE drought period. For E. gomphocephala, establishment was higher for seedlings (81%) than for seeding (7.5%). Inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungal spores was not beneficial. For A. saligna, establishment was also higher for seedlings (84%) than for seeding (42.5%). Mycorrhizal fungal inoculum had no effect on establishment or growth. This study has shown that in harsh MTE conditions, the use of seedlings is more effective than seeding in degraded woodlands even when attempting to reintroduce key colonizing species. The microorganism treatments tested did not result in significant improvement in establishment or growth.     

To Burn or Not to Burn? Effect of Management Strategy on North American Prairie Vegetation for Public Urban Areas in Germany

North American prairie vegetation has been a role model for designing highly attractive plantings for German urban green spaces for the past decade. In combination with gravel mulch top layers on planting sites and non-selective maintenance techniques like mowing or burning, prairie plantings are considered to be cost-effective and low-maintenance. This study was undertaken to assess the impact of different maintenance strategies and especially the necessity of fire management on the development success of ornamental prairie plantings in central Europe. A four factorial split-plot-block design was set up for investigation of different mixtures of prairie species under varying management conditions (mow-only, mowing plus selective weeding, mowing plus weeding and burning) on two differing soil types (in-situ topsoil and in-situ topsoil with a graywacke gravel mulch top layer) over three years. Significant effects of maintenance strategy on mortality rates and vitality were documented for a number of target species, which responded species specifically, either being slightly affected by the burning or thriving on it. Those effects were mostly restricted to topsoil sites. A strong impact on weed species presence and abundance and resulting maintenance times was found on both soil types. On topsoil sites, mow-only treatment resulted in a short-term loss of the original planting due to extensive weed growth. Corresponding gravel mulch sites were generally less colonised and visually dominated by weeds. Differences between weeded and weeded plus burned sites were minor. Unexpectedly, weed species populations were mostly unaffected by the additional burning treatment, while maintenance times and costs increased. No overall benefit of fire management for the establishment of prairie plantings was documented. The most effective management combination proved to be mowing plus regular selective weeding measures on gravel mulched planting sites.     

Can the Results of Biodiversity-Ecosystem Productivity Studies Be Translated to Bioenergy Production?

Biodiversity experiments show that increases in plant diversity can lead to greater biomass production, and some researchers suggest that high diversity plantings should be used for bioenergy production. However, many methods used in past biodiversity experiments are impractical for bioenergy plantings. For example, biodiversity experiments often use intensive management such as hand weeding to maintain low diversity plantings and exclude unplanted species, but this would not be done for bioenergy plantings. Also, biodiversity experiments generally use high seeding densities that would be too expensive for bioenergy plantings. Here we report the effects of biodiversity on biomass production from two studies of more realistic bioenergy crop plantings in southern Michigan, USA. One study involved comparing production between switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) monocultures and species-rich prairie plantings on private farm fields that were managed similarly to bioenergy plantings. The other study was an experiment where switchgrass was planted in monoculture and in combination with increasingly species-rich native prairie mixtures. Overall, we found that bioenergy plantings with higher species richness did not produce more biomass than switchgrass monocultures. The lack of a positive relationship between planted species richness and production in our studies may be due to several factors. Non-planted species (weeds) were not removed from our studies and these non-planted species may have competed with planted species and also prevented realized species richness from equaling planted species richness. Also, we found that low seeding density of individual species limited the biomass production of these individual species. Production in future bioenergy plantings with high species richness may be increased by using a high density of inexpensive seed from switchgrass and other highly productive species, and future efforts to translate the results of biodiversity experiments to bioenergy plantings should consider the role of seeding density.     

Direct seeding to restore tropical seasonal forests: effects of green manure and hydrogel amendment on tree species performances and weed infestation

Although direct tree seeding may be a potentially useful restoration practice, many biotic and abiotic barriers prevent seedling emergence and early development, reducing its success and applicability. To overcome these barriers, we undertook a field experiment to test the effects of using green manure and hydrogel alone, or in combination, on seedling performances of 14 native tree species that were planted by direct seeding in a deforested tropical seasonal forest area in southern Brazil and to examine how green manure affected the initial weed coverage in the study plots. We evaluated competing vegetation coverage and tree seedling emergence and early development for 2 years after sowing. Weed infestation was significantly higher in the experimental plots with no green manure; however, neither green manure nor hydrogel improved tree seedling emergence and early development at any time of measurement. Our results suggest that the use of green manure and hydrogel alone, or in combination, were not effective in guaranteeing direct seeding success; however, green manure can be an effective method to reduce weed infestation. Direct seeding techniques for tree species still need to be improved in order to restore tropical seasonal forests on a larger scale.     

The Relative Importance of Seeding Method, Soil Ripping, and Soil Variables on Seeding Success

We conducted a field experiment to examine how seeding method, soil ripping, and soil characteristics affected the initial establishment and growth of seeded species and if differences among treatments persisted into the second growing season. We planted seeds into a compacted field plot where most of the topsoil had been removed. The native seed mixture of Artemisia californica, Eschscholzia californica, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Lupinus succulentus, Nassella pulchra, and Vulpia microstachys represented different seed sizes and life histories. Three seeding methods (hydroseeding, imprinting, and drilling) and three ripping depths (0, 20, and 40 cm) were combined in a factorial experiment. Soil organic matter and NO₃ ^? were used as covariates. For two years, we measured density, percent cover, mean size, and flower production of the selected species, and weed emergence. Only seeding method and soil variation affected initial establishment of natives. Small‐seeded species had higher density in imprinted and hydroseeded than drilled treatments, whereas large‐seeded species had higher density in imprinted and drilled than hydroseeded treatments. These patterns persisted with only slight modification into the second year. Weed density in year 1 decreased with soil ripping. In year 1, Vulpia height and Lupinus height and flowering were greater with drilling or imprinting than hydroseeding but were not affected by ripping. Eschscholzia, Lupinus, and Vulpia produced seeds in the first year, but only Vulpia reestablished successfully in the second year. Vulpia had high cover in the second year that increased with increasing NO₃ ^? , but did not vary by treatment. In year 2 perennial Nassella, and to some extent Eriogonum, grew largest, produced more inflorescences, and had their highest percent cover in the 40‐cm rip treatment. Size and inflorescence production also increased with increasing NO₃ ^? ; sometimes this relationship was stronger than the effects of treatments. We found only positive associations between estimated biomass (density × height) of annuals and survival of shrubs. Potential for erosion control, as measured by total density in year 1 and total vegetative cover in year 2, was greatest in imprinted and hydroseeded treatments and increased with increasing NO₃ ^? . This relatively simple experiment yielded information critical to understanding optimum seeding methods and seedbed preparation and indicates that seeding method can be determined by seed size and germination biology. Although an experiment such as this enables some generalizations, it does not eliminate the need for site‐specific experiments prior to restoration.     

不同生境条件下紫茎泽兰幼苗生长动态

紫茎泽兰(Eupatorium adenophorum)种子属投机式萌发, 一年内只要有适合的温湿条件都可以萌发。种子萌发的高峰期主要集中在雨季, 而干旱的冬、春季节萌发率很低。未开花结实的紫茎泽兰个体可终年持续生长, 生长速率受光照、湿度和温度影响显著。秋季萌发的紫茎泽兰幼苗在冬季及干旱季节中, 各项生长指标(包括主茎长度、总叶面积、基径等)增长缓慢。在不同生境中, 紫茎泽兰平均月增长量由高到低依次为: 偏阳生境＞全荫湿润生境＞灌丛遮荫生境, 生长旺季为6–10月份的雨季。实生苗越年后通常在第一个旱季即可开花结实; 但萌发较晚以及生长发育不良的个体一般并不开花而是保持营养生长。未开花结实的越年生实生苗的生长节律与当年生实生苗相似, 但需要再经过一个生长季节甚至更长的生长发育期才能进行开花结实, 完成其生活史周期。本研究结果进一步揭示了紫茎泽兰是通过有性生殖与无性生殖相互补充的繁殖策略进行种群更新与种群扩张的。     

Protecting direct seeded grasses from herbicide application: can new extruded pellet formulations be used in restoring natural plant communities?

Restoration of native plant communities through direct seeding often experience low seedling establishment success rates, partly due to competition with invasive weed species. To improve seeding success, herbicides can be applied to control weed competition, however, this can have negative impacts on the seeded species. Activated carbon (AC) can be incorporated into newly developed seed enhancement technologies to adsorb herbicides and increase seedling tolerance. This study expands upon research completed to date, by developing new formulations of extruded pellets containing AC, aiming to provide increased protection to seeded species and increase herbicide selectivity. We tested six extruded pellet formulations, which included two pellet formula variations, and three quantities of AC, to examine the impact on emergence (without herbicide) and mortality (with herbicide) of Lolium rigidum Gaudin (annual ryegrass). Extruded pellet formulations containing a superabsorbent polymer (3%) and AC (10%) did not impede emergence (79%), in the absence of herbicide, similar to the non‐pelleted seeds (81%). This extruded pellet formulation increased seedling tolerance to Simazine (a pre‐emergent, soil applied herbicide) application, with mortality reduced from 96% in non‐pelleted seeds, and 77% in pellets containing no AC, to 22% in pellets containing AC. The results from this study demonstrate that AC extruded pelleting can be used as a restoration seeding technology by protecting seeds from the negative effects of pre‐emergent herbicide applications. Field evaluations with native seeds will mark an important step forward to ensure seed enhancement technology options, such as AC extruded pelleting, are available for restoring natural plant communities in restoration programs.     

Factoring restoration practitioner perceptions into future design of mechanical direct seeders for native seeds

The methods used to distribute seeds influence the success of a restoration project. We surveyed 183 restoration practitioners from across the globe with the aim of identifying common limitations to the effective use of mechanical direct seeding in large‐scale restoration practice to highlight avenues for design improvement to mechanized seeding equipment. Results from this survey show that direct seeding methods are commonly used for ecological restoration and agree with other studies that suggest the method can achieve results much quicker and cheaper than the alternative of distributing nursery‐grown tube stock. However, this study indicates that current mechanical direct seeding methods lack adequate control of seed sowing depth and spatial distribution and highlight that the inability to sow seeds of varying morphology over complex topography are common limitations to direct seeding. To improve restoration success, engineering improvements to mechanical direct seeders used in large‐scale restoration should focus in particular on addressing issues of precision of delivery for diverse seed types and landscapes.     

Restoring native ecosystems in urban Auckland: urban soils, isolation, and weeds as impediments to forest establishment

New Zealand urban environments are currently dominated by exotic plant species. Restoring native vegetation and its associated native biodiversity in these landscapes is desirable for both cultural and ecological reasons. We report on the first four years of an ongoing vegetation restoration experiment in Waitakere City, Auckland, that addresses four challenges to urban restoration: weeds, Anthropic Soils, attraction of frugivorous birds, and patch isolation. Nine commonly planted native species, grouped separately into wind- and bird-dispersed species, were planted across four sites increasingly isolated from native bush patches, using two site preparation methods. By year three, woody weeds >50 cm tall had established with an average density of 1.7 plant m^-? across all sites. This was more than 17 times denser than all established wild native woody seedlings of any height. One of our establishment methods, sparse planting with mulch, resulted in higher native plant survival and faster plant growth. However, after 4 years, the more intensive method, dense planting and ripping of the soil, resulted in a denser canopy and a 2.8-fold reduction in woody weed establishment. The typically urban soils of all sites were highly modified, with substantial variation in compaction, ponding risk, and fertility over distances of 5?15?m. Several, but not all, species were detrimentally affected by soil compaction and ponding. Many bird-dispersed species, both native and non-native, colonised the experiment, although this did not differ between plots with planted wind-dispersed and bird-dispersed species, perhaps due to the small size of these plots. Site colonisation by native species was particularly high at sites ≤?100 m from existing native vegetation, suggesting that even small patches of native vegetation in urban landscapes will be valuable as seed sources for accelerating native plant establishment at nearby receptive sites.     

Effects of Nematicides,Lime, and Herbicide on Peach Tree Short Life in Georgia

Peach tree mortality was 75% five years after planting on a site associated with peach tree short life and receiving no nematicide treatment, no lime, and with cultivation for weed control. Mortality was reduced to 29% by preplanting plus postplanting applications of DBCP (1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane) and with herbicidal weed control. Preplanting applications of nematicides alone did not effectively reduce tree mortality or increase yield. Lime applications increased yield but did not affect tree growth or survival. Survival was higher with weed control by a herbicide than with control by disk cultivation. Populations of Macroposthonia xenoplax were correlated positively with tree mortality and negatively with yield. The other nematode consistently present at the site, Tylenchorhynchus claytoni, was not associated with either tree mortality or yield.     

The Effect of Timing of Rehabilitation Procedures on the Establishment of a Jarrah Forest After Bauxite Mining

The restoration of the high botanical diversity of the premining jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest is a major priority of rehabilitation following bauxite mining in southwestern Australia. This study investigated the effects of different ripping, seeding, and scarifying dates on the establishment of plants from propagules stored in the topsoil and from applied seed on areas being rehabilitated after mining. Seed stored in the topsoil, rather than applied seed, was the major contributor to plant diversity. Ripping late (April) or scarifying in June significantly reduced the number of species and numbers of individual plants that established from propagules in the topsoil. Species originating from broadcast seed were most numerous when the seed was broadcast in April or after scarifying in June. Scarifying before seeding, particularly in June, increased the establishment of species from the broadcast seed. To make best use of the applied seed, without jeopardizing the establishment of species from the topsoil, pits should be ripped and sown by April. We list a number of strategies that can help maximize plant numbers and botanical diversity on rehabilitated bauxite mines, which may also be of more general application for restoring the original native vegetation on disturbed sites.     

Seed Removal and Predation as Factors Affecting Seed Availability of Tree Species in Degraded Habitats and Restoration Plantings in Rainforest Areas of Queensland,Australia

The post‐dispersal removal or predation of seeds of native tree species was investigated in Queensland, Australia, at degraded habitats and rainforest restoration sites where direct seeding might be used to facilitate tree regeneration (old fields or open habitats, lantana thicket, rainforest edge, and 5‐ and 10‐year‐old restoration plantings). Seed removal/predation was assessed in relation to tree seed weight and canopy density of the habitats during the wet season period. Results indicated that seed removal/predation imposes limitations on seed availability, particularly for small seeded species. In most situations, larger seeds were less removed/predated, most likely due to the more limited range of large seed consumers. The use of large, hard‐coated seeds may potentially reduce seed loss in open situations (from both seed removal and desiccation), unless large seed consumers frequent the site. Canopy cover exerted an influence on seed removal/predation, though trends varied in relation to site and the time of season. Broadcast sowing of seed under planted tree canopies at the more advanced stages of closure may in some areas result in higher seed removal/predation. Likewise, seeding in areas dominated by woody weeds may result in high seed losses to consumers such as rodents. Results suggested that undertaking direct seeding to coincide with the maximal period of fruit production may in some situations be beneficial to minimize seed loss. Overall, site context, canopy cover, and species selection appear to be important considerations when aiming to reduce loss of seeds to animal seed consumers in restoration work.     

Arrival order among native plant functional groups does not affect invasibility of constructed dune communities

Different arrival order scenarios of native functional groups to a site may influence both resource use during development and final community structure. Arrival order may then indirectly influence community resistance to invasion. We present a mesocosm experiment of constructed coastal dune communities that monitored biotic and abiotic responses to different arrival orders of native functional groups. Constructed communities were compared with unplanted mesocosms. We then simulated a single invasion event by bitou (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata), a dominant exotic shrub of coastal communities. We evaluated the hypothesis that plantings with simultaneous representation of grass, herb and shrub functional groups at the beginning of the experiment would more completely sequester resources and limit invasion than staggered plantings. Staggered plantings in turn would offer greater resource use and invasion resistance than unplanted mesocosms. Contrary to our expectations, there were few effects of arrival order on abiotic variables for the duration of the experiment and arrival order was unimportant in final community invasibility. All planted mesocosms supported significantly more invader germinants and significantly less invader abundance than unplanted mesocosms. Native functional group plantings may have a nurse effect during the invader germination and establishment phase and a competitive function during the invader juvenile and adult phase. Arrival order per se did not affect resource use and community invasibility in our mesocosm experiment. While grass, herb and shrub functional group plantings will not prevent invasion success in restored communities, they may limit final invader biomass.