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With adequate time
for seed collection and plant preparation, we know that it is
possible to rehabilitate arid and semiarid lands successfully. Very
low cost interventions can help start site recovery. Soil pitting
may cost very little when it is done on a large scale. A low cost
effort including limited soil treatment, mulch, direct seeding and
200 plants might cost as little as $1-5,000 acre [$2,500-12,000 ha]
in the American Southwest. A modest effort with seed collection,
soil treatment, 1,000 plants, and monitoring might be done for
$10,000 acre [$25,000 ha]. A full scale, intense effort with a goal
of rapid visual and functional recovery could easily cost $50,000
acre [$100,000 ha].
You are more likely to succeed on a restoration project if you
understand as much as possible about the soil, plant community,
ecosystem, and landscape.
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