@article {Bucharova774331, author = {Anna Bucharova and Franti{\v s}ek Krahulec}, title = {Native seed addition as an effective tool for post-invasive restoration}, elocation-id = {774331}, year = {2019}, doi = {10.1101/774331}, publisher = {Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory}, abstract = {Invasive plant species reduce biodiversity, alter ecosystem processes and cause economic losses. Control of invasive plants is therefore in high demand by land managers and policymakers. However, invasive plant control frequently fails, partly because management often concentrates only on the eradication of the invasive plants, but not on revegetation with native species that would use the available resources and prevent re-invasion. In this study, we focused on a within-continental invader Rumex alpinus L. that was introduced by humans from the Alps to lower mountains in Central Europe, where it spreads to semi-natural meadows, suppresses local biodiversity and reduces the quality of the hay as fodder for cattle. The species is effectively removed by herbicide but leaves behind a persistent seeds bank. Without further treatment, the invader rapidly regenerates and re-invades the area. We supplemented the herbicide treatment by seed addition of native grasses. Native seed addition effectively suppressed regeneration of the invader from the seed bank, reduced its biomass and consequently, prevented massive re-invasion. While the invader removal was successful, the restored community remained species poor because the dense sward of native grasses blocked regeneration of native forbs from the seed bank. Nevertheless, the addition of native seed proved to be an effective tool to prevent re-invasion after eradication of the invasive plant species.}, URL = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/09/19/774331}, eprint = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/09/19/774331.full.pdf}, journal = {bioRxiv} }