Wetland restoration projects start by restoring the ecological integrity and natural structure of the habitat. Removing exotic (non-native) plants and restoring the native plant communities provides ecological function and resources for other species. Monitoring the plant communities is an important measure of restoration success.
We began monitoring plant communities at NCWMS in 2009.
In old fields, the most abundant species were:
Goldenrod – Solidago canadensis
Bluestem Grass – Andropogon gerardii
Indiangrass – Sorghastrum nutans
Buckthorn – Rhamnus cathartica*
Wild Strawberry – Fragaria virginiana
Canada Bluegrass – Poa compressa*
Yellow Coneflower – Ratibida pinnata
Kentucky Bluegrass – Poa pratensis*
Orchard Grass – Dactylus glomerata*
Sawtooth Sunflower – Helianthus grosseserratus
In prairie habitats the most abundant species were:
Buckthorn – Rhamnus cathartica*
Bluestem Grass – Andropogon gerardii
Indiangrass – Sorghastrum nutans
Kentucky Bluegrass – Poa pratensis*
Wild Strawberry – Fragaria virginiana
Canada Bluegrass – Poa compressa*
Goldenrod – Solidago canadensis
Wild Quinine – Parthenium integrifolium
Little Bluestem – Schizachyrium scoparium
Yellow Coneflower – Ratibida pinnata