Are you frustrated by the slow progress of bush regeneration on your rural property? Read on and discover some of the factors that may be slowing down the desired results. Use this information to implement the appropriate remedial steps in order to improve the outcomes of your bush regeneration efforts.

Elevated Nutrient Levels

Bush regeneration may be slowed down by the presence of excessive amounts of nutrients in the soil. These nutrients may be from the previous use of fertilisers in the area. Enriched runoff and animal droppings may also raise the nutrient level beyond the level that is appropriate for the native plant species. This problem can be fixed by scalping off the enriched topsoil. Weeds that thrive in that elevated nutrient environment can also be removed in order to give the natives a chance to germinate.

Excessive Shading

The presence of exotic species of trees or shrubs may hinder the growth of native species due to the excessive shade that is created over the soil. Thinning or removing those exotic species can enable the natives to receive direct sunlight in order to thrive.

Soil Compaction

Vehicles, humans and animals can compact the soil to the extent that native plants may find it hard to sprout and thrive. Compacted soil is often devoid of sufficient levels of air to sustain plant roots. Moisture also takes longer to penetrate such compacted soil. You may therefore need to rake that soil lightly so that it becomes more conducive to plant growth.

Lack of Dispersers and Pollinators

Your bush regeneration efforts may also be hampered by the lack of sufficient seed dispersers, such as birds, and pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. The absence of these regeneration facilitators can be remedied by managing their habitats better. For example, you can stop using any chemicals that could be having an effect on the population of pollinators.

Salinity

Bush regeneration may also be very slow in case the soil has become too saline for the target species to thrive. You should conduct soil tests in order to confirm whether salinity is the culprit responsible for the slow progress. Switching to natives that can thrive in that saline soil can accelerate the rate at which such species can recolonise the area.

As you can see, bush regeneration can be slowed down by a broad spectrum of factors. It may therefore be helpful for you to engage an expert so that the exact cause of the slow progress is identified. Only then will you avoid wasting time and other resources on unnecessary remedies.