Multi-disciplinary approaches for successful revegetation of roadsides, roadbeds, and eroding slopes

Roadways, construction sites, and mined or eroded areas are commonly difficult to revegetate or restore because they are often drastically disturbed (all topsoil and biological activity removed), creating multiple plant growth limiting conditions.  We evaluated several of these potential soil resource limitations and then modified or developed soil tests that would be relevant for wildlands situations.  By comparison to existing revegetated reference sites or from basic requirements for plant growth, a systematic, stepwise process for evaluating soil resources of degraded substrates was developed.  This expert system is intended to guide treatment of harsh, degraded substrates so that they will support sustainable revegetation or restoration communities.  The process can also be used with less disturbed sites to screen for influences of soil resource conditions on ecological experiments, mitigation projects or potential successional trajectories.