Vegetative spread is key to applied nucleation success in non‐native‐dominated grasslands

Applied nucleation (i.e. planting vegetation patches) is a restoration strategy that better recreates natural ecosystem heterogeneity and requires fewer resources compared to the entire area. Whereas applied shows promise as forest strategy, this approach has received little study in grassland restoration, where spread of planted nuclei may be impeded by aggressive non-native species. We establishment cover restored native grass, forb, rush species for 7 years full treatments former agricultural site dominated non-natives along central California coast. seedlings same nine coastal prairie all treatments, but plots had four with only 30% plots. also evaluated effect adding wood mulch reduce plant competition. Native forb increased over time was similar across final year. grasses first 4 then declined sharply treatments. into unplanted areas plots, whereas showed minimal spread. Of five species, two persisted until year both via rhizomes. Wood reduced 2 longer-term on composition. Our results suggest can an effective at small scale non-native-dominated grasslands vegetatively.