An exception may be sites for growing commercial timber species. Most Australian native species will grow faster with higher nutrient levels than found in native soils. However, Banksias are sensitive to high phosphate levels. Soil nutrient testing is recommended to determine if any action is required. Exposure Exposed windy sites generally restrict plant growth by the combined effect of sandblasting, battering and increased evaporation leading to less available water.
Wind erosion can also remove significant amounts of topsoil and nutrients.
Weeds Sites with high weed burdens will require good weed control to prevent competition with seedlings for light, water and nutrients. Weed competition is the most common cause of seedling death in the first year of planting, because weeds deplete the soil water store, leading to drought death over the first summer. Pests Pest problems often come from an adjoining land use, or from problems on the site in the previous year. Good management of the revegetation site, and of other enterprises on the farm, will reduce or correct these types of problems. Conclusion In any successful revegetation program, site assessment and species selection go hand in hand.