Soil Fertility of Decomposed Granite Cut Slopes and Adjacent Vegetated Soils

In Thoreau's time, people were already planting trees to restore landscapes. Throughout this century, public and private organizations as well as countless landowners have worked to restore plant communities to sites that have been disturbed by natural disasters, and by human activities such as mining, road construction, clear cutting, and agriculture. Over the last 20 years, restoration ecology—a field that draws its expertise from both ecology and horticulture— has experienced exponential growth. The growth of this field, driven by a rising environmental awareness that is often supported by legislation, has resulted in increased cooperation between these groups. While ecologists have become interested in restoring the structure, function, and biota of natural ecosystems, horticultural scientists have begun using their skills with plant materials in settings outside of traditional commercial and residential settings. Restoration Ecology: Renewing Our Disturbed Landscapes Part I