Now the upland area is part of a habitat restoration project that is bringing back native plant species to this environmentally sensitive, biologically active bay. The mulch was used to suppress vigorous weed growth and give the reclamation plantings a two-year growth advantage against weed competition. Deep mulching also suppresses weeds and stabilizes soil temperature and soil moisture, leading to establishment of native upland trees, shrubs and grasses. Historically, the site had been cleared of native upland vegetation. The soil on the site is Myakka fine sand with rapid surface permeability but slow internal drainage.
Natural fertility is considered low.
A few test areas where oaks were planted randomly and mulched in 1997 showed that deep mulching controlled weeds in the restored areas. Farming had cleared the land of native vegetation, but because the farmland remained fallow, intense weed growth followed. Holes for planting were dug through the mulch and into the sand using a 12-inch diameter power auger. Randomly chosen installed plants of each species were measured at planting and at 180 days after planting. Base caliper and height of trees and shrubs were measured as well as number of blades of gamagrass, saw palmetto fronds, and magnolia leaves.