Revegetation of steep rocky slopes: Planting climbing vegetation species in artificially drilled holes

A method of vegetation establishment with rocky slopes was conducted by planting three climbing plant species (Parthenocissus tricuspidata (Sieb.et Zucc) Planch, Hedera helix and Euonymus fortunei (f. minimus)) an artificial hole drilled on a rocky slope surface of an abandoned quarry. During the experiment period for 18 months, plant growth and dynamics of soil moisture content in holes were surveyed. The results indicated that artificial holes may save soil on the rocky slope for plant growth, but water deficit was the key limiting factor to plant growth in the hot summer. P. tricuspidata and E. fortunei had higher survival and growth rates than H. helix. They showed good adaptability to the disadvantageous growing conditions of rocky slope. The experiment demonstrated that P. tricuspidata and E. fortunei could be used as pioneer plant species for revegetation of rocky slopes.