Mountain grassland restoration using hay and brush material transfer combined with temporary wheat cover

Mountain grassland restoration success may be hampered by limited seed dispersal and poor soil banks of many species. These constraints can overcome actively introducing propagules from nearby non-degraded communities. We tested different techniques in order to understand the mechanisms favouring target species seedling recruitment establishment. In five degraded mountain grasslands, we analysed (i) effect two increasingly used ecological low dispersal: transfer brush-harvested material hay transfer, (ii) potentially facilitative a temporary plant cover (common wheat) on transferred propagules. found that both propagule were successful establishing donor community with an increase richness, abundance Hay was more efficient transferring than transfer. Brush-harvested only increased when sown together wheat. The results indicated mulch favoured species, without needs compensated additional create favourable conditions for recruitment. A comparison best reference communities each confirmed brush wheat sowing driving composition towards desired state. conclusion, grasslands shallow stony soils clearly benefits dead (hay) or living (wheat) vegetation cover.