Reclaiming Disturbed Sites: Influence of Planting Time, First‐Year Mowing, and Seed Mix Richness Over 8 Years

ABSTRACT Aim Land use intensification has resulted in extensive habitat degradation, negatively impacting many ecosystem services. Restoring disturbed lands to their former state is crucial for preserving biodiversity and ecosystem health. Although the use of native species to revegetate disturbed ecosystems continues to gain momentum, knowledge about native species management for field‐based revegetation remains limited. Location Disturbed grassland, Alberta, Canada. Methods A study was conducted to examine the impact of native seed mix richness (mix I: 6 grasses, mix II: 10 grasses, mix III: 6 grasses +10 forbs, mix IV: 10 grasses +10 forbs, and mix V: 6 grasses +10 transplanted forbs), seeding season (fall, spring), and first‐year mowing (mowed, unmowed) on plant community development over 8 years. Results After 8 years, seed mix richness, seeding season, and mowing had little effect on cover, richness, or diversity; however, seed mixes influenced seeded and transplanted forbs. The sites were mostly dominated by non‐native species. Plant community composition was not affected by seed mix richness, season, and mowing. Poa pratensis , Taraxacum officinale , Cirsium arvense, and Trifolium pretense were the most dominant species and accounted for 53% of the dissimilarity. Conclusions The presence of seven seeded grass and nine seeded forb species indicates that most seeded species survived, although appropriate management of non‐native species is needed for their establishment. This study suggests using a richer seed mix does not guarantee a higher species richness in plant communities.