Reclamation - restoring disturbed lands

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A place to discuss and learn about the restoration of disturbed lands to desirable end land uses

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Reforestation dogs (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

It’s an odd thing to do as forests naturally regenerate after fire and you don’t want to mess up the ecology by introducing new species or genetic variants. Definitely cute but odd.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

could be helpful in areas where the native seed bank is gone, such as areas formerly built over or used for agriculture.

Probably not an efficient method even then. At least they look pretty happy

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of wildfires and decreased populations of seed-spreading and pollinating animals. The forests might be able to regenerate, but not at the rate at which they burn down.

And I'm positive that whoever is doing this makes sure they're using native seeds.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

They probably aren't actually doing this though - native seeds are a pain in the dick to collect - you're not going to waste them strapping them to a dog lol

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I volunteer at a preserve that has a "farm" for exactly this reason. Native seeds are gathered in the preserve, grown out on the "farm", and then are harvested and regrown for a few years to build up a seed bank.

At the end the seeds are scattered by volunteers. Dogs aren't allowed in the preserve (it's a sensitive habitat) but if they were this might be one of the rare situations it would make sense. There are lots of rattlesnakes though, so even then it wouldnt be safe for the dogs in the right season for the seeds.

The "farm" we have consists of 4 10ft by 20ft raised beds protected from deer by a tall fence. So far it seems to have made a significant long-term improvement in some areas of the preserve (at least as far as ratio of native species to introduced)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Some plant species specifically need fires to reproduce, even. Maybe this isn't one of those forests