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Robert Venette

Abstract (from PLOS ONE): Adequate diversity and abundance of native seed for large-scale grassland restorations often require commercially produced seed from distant sources. However, as sourcing distance increases, the likelihood of inadvertent introduction of multiple novel, non-native weed species as seed contaminants also increases. We created a model to determine an “optimal maximum distance” that would maximize availability of native prairie seed from commercial sources while minimizing the risk of novel invasive weeds via contamination. The model focused on the central portion of the Level II temperate prairie ecoregion in the Midwest US. The median optimal maximum distance from which to source seed was...
Categories: Publication; Types: Citation
With global efforts to restore grassland ecosystems, researchers and land management practitioners are working to reconstruct habitat that will persist and withstand stresses associated with climate change. Part of these efforts involve movement of plant material potentially adapted to future climate conditions from native habitat or seed production locations to a new restoration site. Restoration practice often follows this plant-centered, top-down approach. However, we suggest that restoration of belowground interactions, namely between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi or rhizobia, is important for restoring resilient grasslands. In this synthesis we highlight these interactions and offer insight into how...
Categories: Publication; Types: Citation
North American prairies are imperiled with only 11% of tallgrass prairie, 24% of mixed grass prairie and 54% of shortgrass prairie remaining intact (Wilsey et al. 2019). Reclaiming and restoring these natural areas can provide climate change mitigation benefits, including carbon sequestration (Brye and Riley 2009; Guzman and Al-Kaisi 2010; Hernández et al. 2013). Of the tools available for prairie restoration, movement of native plant species as seed is most common. Movement of seed may be necessary due to limited availability or to adapt to potential future climates. Because not enough seed is produced on the native prairies that remain, large-scale agriculture-like production of native seed is necessary to keep...
Categories: Publication; Types: Citation
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Relocating Plants for Conservation and Restoration: Developing a Risk Assessment Framework
There is growing interest in the facilitated movement of plants as a means of conserving or restoring species and habitats, as climate conditions and management goals change. For example, plants might be relocated to support pollinator conservation or the restoration of prairies. Some land managers, in an effort to be proactive in the face of changing environmental conditions, are also considering relocating plants to sites that are considered more similar to anticipated future conditions. However, moving plants can be ecologically and economically risky. It’s possible that pests, pathogens, or contaminant weeds can be inadvertently moved along with the target plant material. In 2016, the noxious weed Palmer amaranth...
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