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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/6494| Title: | Reforestation of frequently flooded agricultural fields : a compendium of results from research conducted at the Lake George Wetland and Wildlife Restoration Project, Mississippi |
| Authors: | Williams, Hans M. Craft, Monica H. Young, Gary L. |
| Keywords: | Bottomland hardwood Mississippi floodplain Mississippi River Wetland restoration Wetlands Floodplain Nuttall Oak Reforestation |
| Publisher: | U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station |
| Series/Report no.: | Technical Report (Wetlands Research Program (U.S.)) ; no. Technical Report WRP-RE-18 |
| Abstract: | In the Mississippi Delta, initiatives by Federal, State and private agencies will attempt to restore unproductive, frequently flooded agricultural fields back to bottornland hardwood wetlands. However, early reforestation efforts by direct seeding or planting bare-root seedlings have been only marginally successful. Prolonged flooding and poor seedling quality are two reasons for the low seedling survival. Bottomland hardwood restoration planners need guidance on applied issues such as species selection, stock type selection, planting schedules, and site monitoring. The objective of the Lake George Bottomland Hardwood Wildlife and Wetland Restoration Project is to restore functioning bottornland hardwood wetland habitat by reforesting 3,600 ha of agricultural fields located in the Mississippi Delta. The Lake George Project provided an opportunity to conduct applied research on several bottomland hardwood reforestation topics.University and Federal agency scientists conducted studies on matching tree species to the site, selecting plant stock type, selecting when to plant, and monitoring early habitat development following planting. Lake George research indicated that planting bare-root seedlings on sites that flood infrequently can be a successful means of establishing a bottomland hardwood forest. Direct seeding may also be successful on the drier sites, but less so than planting seedlings. Planting container seedlings may provide an answer to the poor survival observed for bare-root seedlings or direct seeding on flood-prone sites. Following planting, the Lake George sites quickly provide valuable pioneer successional stage habitat for vegetation and animal species. |
| Description: | Technical Report |
| Gov't Doc #: | Technical Report WRP-RE-18 |
| Rights: | Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/6494 |
| Size: | 46 pages |
| Types of Materials: | |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Report |
