Revegetation after management What areas have been overlooked or under studied? Environmental factors: Conditions influencing the outcome of planting native species need further investigation: Propagule pressure of invasive species Planting density of native species Disturbances (wave action, fluctuations, management actions) Herbivory Water quality Sediment suitability Interactions among these factors Identify more species suitable for restoration: Multiple species plantings are beneficial to ecosystem function and stability, but we lack information on how some native species respond to environmental conditions that may interfere with establishment. Resistance to turbidity, herbivory, fluctuating water levels, and herbicides are important traits to consider for each species used in restoration.

Revegetation after management What areas have been overlooked or under studied? Genetic diversity may be as important as species diversity. Competition: Mechanisms that allow native species to outcompete invasive species need to be better understood. Dispersal: Document factors leading to wide-scale spread of native vegetation from founder colonies or from natural stands of vegetation. Seed banks: Develop criteria for evaluating native seed/tuber banks to ascertain whether or not a system will require revegetation.

Revegetation after management What areas have been overlooked or under studied? Founder colony planting strategies: Planting densities, depths, number and size of founder colonies, etc., require additional research to provide reasonably consistent results. Alternatives to founder colonies: Investigate feasibility of large-scale planting, including use of seeds. Scaling: Evaluate transfer of successful planting strategies across scales and across systems. Propagule types: Evaluate success and cost effectiveness of containerized plants versus bare root versus seeds, etc. Propagule availability: Because access to propagules is limited, we need to develop economically feasible mass-production technologies.

Revegetation after management What benefit would additional work in these areas provide to managers? Increased success in establishment of native vegetation will: In the long run, reduce resources needed for managing invasive species Repair ecosystems damaged by invasions Improve fisheries and wildlife habitat, bringing managers closer to their management goals Improve ecosystem functioning, which can enhance ecosystem goods and services (e.g., cleaner water, flood control, erosion control).

Revegetation after management What are the obstacles to accomplishing this work? (e.g., funding, research facilities, interest by students and/or managers?) Current funding focuses on on-the-ground restoration, rather than developing methodologies or understanding the basic ecology of species and how multiple factors interact. Lack of information for managers and the general public – because they often do not see revegetation as a tool for aquatic plant management, they are unlikely to support its research or implementation.

Revegetation after management What suggestions would help overcome these obstacles? Need long-term funding for: Research Technology transfer Workshops for managers and agencies Demonstrations, especially IPM Environmental education of the general public to gain public support (financial, volunteers). Better coordination of research efforts among agencies.