Department of Natural Resources Division of Agriculture

Chapter 1:  An Introduction to Revegetation

Why Revegetate an Area?

Natural Revegetation

Natural revegetation relies on the tendency of vegetation to move into a disturbed area.  Most disturbances, whether natural or man-made, will eventually be recolonized by plants.  The conditions that determine the length of time needed to produce a cover of vegetation depend upon several factors, including proximity of viable seed sources, surface condition of the disturbed area, and local environmental conditions.

In time vegetation will return.  Problems arise when natural revegetation does not occur rapidly enough to improve the appearance of the site or prevent erosion and sedimentation.  Natural revegetation is a valid approach and should be employed when conditions and politics allow.

Figure 87:  This site met the requirements for natural revegetation conditions.

Figure 88:  After one full year the natural revegetation process was beginning.

Figure 89:  After three years the process of natural revegetation was well underway.

Figure 90:  Finally, after four years, the process was satisfactorily complete.

Figure 91:  A river flood plain which was also revegetated with enhanced natural revegetation techniques.