Restored roadside grasslands provide an exciting template for road network conservation

Abstract

This innovative roadside restoration project aimed to replace two historic non-endemic block tree plantings with diverse native grassland. A secondary goal was to reintroduce populations of threatened species as part of the restorations (Button Wrinklewort; Clover Glycine; Hoary Sunray; and the Yam Daisy) Glycine latrobeana; Leucochrysum albicans subspr; i. The project applied what were at the time newly developed site preparation, direct-seeding and seed production approaches designed to facilitate these outcomes. The long-term success of these restorations (13 years) provides compelling evidence that it is feasible to restore high-quality, low-biomass, species-rich native grasslands on previously exotic-dominated roadsides. By doing so, they demonstrate that road networks offer broad canvases for restoration action and should in the future be used to create extensive native linear corridors, displaying high native biodiversity, visual and functional attributes.