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ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE

Pseudoselago spuria. The Lilac Powderpuff. Struthiola leptantha. Populations of these plants established
Photo by Carol Knoll from soil seedbanks after the ecological burn.

over) in less than three years. Acceleration facilitating maximum growth in the short wind impact abatement at ground level
has been achieved but the cessation of growing season (June to September). with this ‘living mulch’ reduced the impact
maintenance at the end of August 2019 of dehydrating winds on young plants, and
will in all likelihood influence potential Planting of geophytes still in dormancy eliminated wind-blown sand that cuts and
results. The restoration conducted can be during early autumn resulted in maximised damages sensitive plants. The complex
classed as a dryland process. growth, while plants from bags and plugs plant structure that was introduced
were only planted once the soil moisture contributed to the heterogeneity and
Timing played a very important part could sustain the transplants. All holes for localised micro habitats. Plants were
in reducing the water need for the plants and bulbs were watered before the planted in suitable micro-habitats for each
restoration process. Prescribed summer plants were placed in the soil and again species, ranging from sandy soils to deep
burns released components into the soil once the holes were backfilled. This was the clays and seasonal wetlands.
to stimulate germination with the arrival only watering that took place on site, other
of rains. Seeds were also primed with than water applied during hydroseeding. The rehabilitation contract came to an
FireGrow seed germination stimulant end in August 2019 without a suitable
(a super-concentrated extract of smoke This seed mix contained suitable pioneer resolve as to the custodianship of the land,
developed by Vula in 1998) to increase seeds that germinated quickly and and this could place the project at risk of
early season germination thereby provided soil cover. The shade and the failure. LSA

Arctopus echinatus (Platdoring). The female plant has greenish flowers enclosed by
spiny bracts, while the males have umbels of small cream to pinkish flowers.
Photos by Carol Knoll.

32 Landscape SA • Issue 95 2020