The Houston Region Native Grass Seedbank: A Natural Partnership Between Right-of-Way Management and Conservation

Robert A. Honig and Gregory D. Wieland

Native grasses, especially local ecotypes, are better adapted to local conditions than many non-native species used on rights-of-way. Once established they require less maintenance and are more drought hardy than these non-native species, and their deeper root systems better prevent soil erosion. They also provide quality habitat for native fauna, helping maintain biodiversity. However, native grass communities are disappearing due to agriculture, noxious weed and brush encroachment, and urbanization. Furthermore, seeds of southeast Texas ecotypes are not commercially available for revegetation efforts, as on rights-of-way. Thus, in August 1995, representatives of government agencies, businesses, and conservation organizations established a Houston Region Native Grass Seedbank to ensure a substantial future source of grasses indigenous to the southeast Texas coastal prairie. To develop a protocol for restoring a site dominated by undesirable species to one dominated by native species, El Paso Energy provided approximately 0.8 ha (2 acres) for experimental plantings within a natural gas pipeline compressor station. Criteria for choosing species used in 1996 were desirability of preserving the local ecotype, ease of growth, ease of identification, erosion control potential, wildlife values, aesthetics, and availability during collection dates. Despite severe early summer drought, all planted species germinated and set seed; Longspike Tridens and Big Bluestem demonstrated enhanced potential for rights-of-way by outcompeting the aggressive, non-native grasses. Efforts are continuing in 1997. The Harris County Flood Control District, Houston Lighting & Power Company, and Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens are also involved in cooperative efforts with the Seedbank Project.

Keywords: Prairies, grasses, restoration, rights-of-way, pipelines, native plants, conservation, erosion control, seed bank, business/conservation partnerships, Texas