Native Plant Producers Society of Alberta

Test Sites

The NPPSA is currently seeking land for test sites on private and/or public property.  We have developed a comprehensive ecological research strategy and now need the physical area to begin implementation.  We also have access to large numbers of native species to begin our research.  Ultimately we want to discover the optimal planting and maintenance regime, both from seed and live plant, that will not allow invasive species to take hold and outcompete the native plants.  Our research criteria are still being developed, but spring is fast approaching and we need support to achieve step one, the sites.

In particular we wish to test the utility of the ecological principle of succession.  In nature, after a site has been disturbed, it is initially colonized by plants called pioneer species, or early seral species.  These are short-lived, fast growing species.  Over a time span that usually covers several years, these species become less abundant as they are replaced by late seral species.  These late seral species are usually larger, slower growing and longer-lived than the early seral species.  In the Edmonton area, native early seral species have become rare, and have been replaced by introduced early seral species such as groundsel, chickweed, and lamb’s quarters.

We hope that seeding a plot with early seral species will keep weeds to a minimum while creating conditions that allow the late seral species to become established.

The additional work that such applied research will entail includes conducting a literature review to determine what has already been discovered, and finding populations of early seral plants and collecting seeds from them.  We anticipate that a literature review will turn up a lot of material of similar studies in other regions, although little of it will pertain directly to the specific conditions found in the aspen parkland region.

It is our hope that the results of this applied research will provide information that can be used to reduce maintenance and therefore the cost of future plantings of native species.

Potential site conditions:
●Roadsides - research can be conducted on salinity and its effect on native plantings.
●Upland sites - most of the test species we have access to are found naturally in dry areas with full to     almost full sun exposure.  No watering of the sites is vital to economic and environmental concerns.
●Mesic or moist sites - understanding how moisture defines invasive verses native plant growth and and long-term competition will be very valuable and applicable to many future landscaping uses.
●Test sites to have public access for educational outreach, tours and ongoing research.
●The size of each site may vary greatly, depending on conditions, but should be in excess of 400 sq. meters.

Support:   
In order to achieve our test site goals for 2010 we need:
●Land for the test sites.
●Financial help for plant material, plant implementation at the sites, conducting research, educational outreach, survey building and other components.
●Volunteers.
●Support from other institutions, Associations, programs and individuals on many avenues.

Purple Prairie Clover                               Mountain Goldenrod