Shrub-Steppe Species Germination Trials and Survival after Outplanting on Bare Soils

Work has been initiated to restore native vegetation on the soil and base gravel layers that were once underneath constructed facilities at the Umatilla Chemical Depot (UMCD) in eastern Oregon. Propagules were collected from native plant species found around the UMCD. Germination success ranged from 0% to 75% for the species tested. Ten species were successfully propagated in sufficient numbers to use in an out planting study to monitor species survival. After three growing seasons, survival ranged from 100% for Opuntia polycantha (pricklypear) to 5.6% for Lupinus sericeus (silky lupine) with average survival over all species at 50%. Further testing is needed to determine what species are best adapted to local environmental conditions.