Techniques to Promote Germination of Seed from Puget Sound Prairies

Abstract

procedures. T he vast majority of prairies in the lowlands around Puget Sound in Washington State have been lost to development, fire suppression (which has led to encroachment of woody plants), and other anthropogenic disturbances. Those fragments of prairie that do remain are highly vulnerable to additional fragmentation and invasion by exotic plants. In an attempt to reverse these trends, a number of conservation groups have recently begun intensive restoration efforts on remnant prairies in the Puget Sound lowlands (see map). A primary objective of this work is to expand and upgrade existing remnants of prairies, which requires large-scale planting projects. This, however, involves working with some 150 species, including many whose germination requirements are not well understood. It was the need for better techniques for germinating seeds of these species, whether for production of nursery stock or when seeding directly in the field that prompted this study.