History

• Theodore Roosevelt was the first president of the United States to show a public interest in land restoration and conservation. In 1902 he signed the Reclamation Act, which established a service under the umbrella of the Department of the Interior to initiate programs for land reclamation and brought the issue to the attention of the American public. In the decades since, scientists, ecologists and environmentalists, among others, have kept the importance of the issue alive.
  
  

Function

• Revegetation planting is utilized on a wide scale in the mining industry for reclamation projects, particularly after surface coal mining operations; after wildfires and other natural disasters have devastated the landscape; in reforestation efforts following logging; and in restoration after major construction projects. Proper revegetation leads to a restored habitat for native wildlife, filters pollution from water sources within the area, controls erosion, and adds aesthetic value for humans by being more visually appealing.
  
  

Types

• Revegetation can be achieved by sowing seeds or transplanting emerging and locally cultivated vegetation. Studies have indicated that transplants hold the most promise as the stability of the ecosystem is achieved quicker and more efficiently through transplants. On the other hand, transplants are much more expensive than seeds. Many plants, excluding trees, can be obtained through cuttings, a portion taken from a parent plant and placed in separate soil to establish roots of its own.
  
  

Considerations

• Damaged topsoil must be replaced or rejuvenated and vital microorganisms replenished in the soil before proper planting can occur. Microorganisms can be reintroduced through organic mulch around existing or new plantings. Until revegetation is established, maintenance may include protecting the young seedlings from foraging wildlife, ensuring proper water and nutrients, controlling weeds, and adding organic mulch to the soil near root systems. Keep in mind that straw mulch from an unknown source may contain seeds of unwanted and invasive plants.
  
  

Warning

• Native plants can restore equilibrium to an ecosystem.native grasses image by Lucy Cherniak from Fotolia.com
  
  Exotic species planted purposefully can become labor intensive and expensive to sustain, whereas native plantings, once established, require little to no ongoing maintenance. Non-native plants can be invasive and wipe out native plants. Kudzu, Japanese honeysuckle, and salt cedar are three exotics that have overwhelmed native plants in some areas of the United States. Research has shown that revegetation works best with careful selection of native plants.