Regeneration

Generally used in areas with existing remnant vegetation.

Involves the removal/control of weeds and encouraging the germination of soil stored seed. The aim is to provide conditions that are suitable for the germination of soil stored seeds. These conditions are:
- space
- light
- water/weather conditions

The last condition is beyond our control to influence, however if we know what conditions are required and when they happen we can plan to provide space and light at the appropriate time.

Space and light are best provided through weed control. If there is a dense indigenous tree or shrub layer it will be difficult to get good results.

Preparation
Grassy weeds need to be controlled to provide space. Generally speaking in a degraded site there will be too many to remove by hand and herbicide may need to be used. Several applications may be necessary to control regrowth/germination. DO NOT use seed suppressants.

Woody weeds need to be controlled to allow light to stimulate germination. Control techniques will be dependant upon the regeneration technique being used.

Fire - there are many issues to be considered with using fire (more details later). It is a complex and little understood management technique. It is NOT a magic cure all.
If fire is being used woody weeds are best felled (to reduce chance of fire spreading into the canopy) and left to dry. Fuel loadings need to be considered and may require removal of some material or in some cases material may need to be brought in (be careful not to bring weed seed into the area).
The main aim of a control burn is to remove the mulch layer as well as providing heat and smoke which are necessary for the germination of some species.


Scarification - is a good substitute for burning in areas where it isn't possible or wise to burn.
Woody weeds need to be removed from the site or treated in such a way as they die in situe.
Once all weeds have been treated the dead material and the natural mulch layer is removed through raking or scrapping.
The mulch layer makes it hard for seeds to germinate (much the same way as it is used in revegetation to reduce maintenance).
Scrapping/raking also provides some physical abrasion that some seeds require before germination will happen.

Follow up maintenance is more time consuming/costly than for revegetation. Any planning must take into account the need for specialist weed control especially in the first 12-24 months.

Not all species of local plants will have viable seed stored in the soil and so some enrichment planting may be necessary to get a closer approximation of the original community structure.