Optimizing Vegetation Establishment On Military Lands.

Failed efforts to establish vegetation on disturbed military lands strains environmental management budgets, increases soil loss, and limit military training activities.   With the costs of native seed reaching as much as $300 per acre, successful establishment of vegetation during the first planting is crucial.   Seeding technologies should be chosen on a basis of topography, soil type, seed mixture, time of application, and price with a goal of maximizing seed germination and promoting rapid vegetation growth at reduced costs.  This study focused on developing a methodology to balance seeding practices, cost, and vegetation establishment using multiple constraints to improve vegetation efforts using a land management approach.  Particular emphasis was placed on comparisons between drill seeding, broadcast seeding and hydroseeding indigenous vegetation and the optimization of these practices from a land management perspective.  Variables associated with each practice were then matched with conditions on Department of Defense lands across the United States.  The results and proposed methodology for optimally seeding disturbed sites are presented in this paper.  Successful implementation of the plan will reduce expenses through better allocation of land management equipment, materials and time while improving vegetation growth establishment.