Factors influencing restoration success of abandoned agricultural fields on the lower San Pedro River terraces, southeastern Arizona

Abandonment of agricultural fields is a common occurrence worldwide. Natural recovery, or succession, often occurs following land abandonment. However, in arid regions succession may not occur and active restoration techniques are sometimes used to facilitate native vegetation growth. Along the lower San Pedro River in southeastern Arizona, restoration projects have resulted in mixed success. Though some fields have responded to restoration treatments, others have not. In this study, abiotic and biotic factors found to likely affect restoration outcomes in this arid environment include soil conditions, restoration treatments, and seed availability. Many findings in this project point toward lingering agricultural legacies impeding restoration efforts.