EVALUATION OF SPONTANEOUS SPECIES FOR THE REVEGETATION OF RESERVOIR MARGINS

Suitable species to be established in fluctuating water-level areas on reservoirs were identified among spontaneous species. The effects of environmental factors on the germination of 12 species selected were s imulated in Petri dishes. The effects of drought and immersion on plan t growth were evaluated on three different substrates (leaf mould, sil t and sand) by biomass measurements in a glasshouse experiment. The es tablishment of the species was tested in situ on reservoir margins. Re sults showed that seed treatments considerably improved seed germinati on for most of the species, thus facilitating rapid establishment. All the species selected survived both drought and immersion. Plant growt h was more sensitive to the type of substrate than to water stress con ditions, however, immersion was a more severe constraint than drought. Finally, 8 species were recommended for the revegetation of reservoir margins.