in these areas are generally well adapted for survival under difficult field conditions. These are not species for timber as much as for firewood, forage, fruit, gum, erosion control, and other such uses. As a prerequisite to any method of reforestation, the species selected must be adapted to the temperature, length of growing season, rainfall, humidity, photoperiod, and other environmental features of the area. Ideally, before aerial seeding takes place trial plots should be established to test those species most likely to germinate and grow successfully on the chosen sites. Even when one species has the right characteristics, it may be prudent to test seed of different provenances to find those best suited to the site. Characteristics that make a particular species more or less appropriate for aerial seeding include: seed size seed availability ability of the seed to germinate on the soil surface germination and seedling growth speeds ability to withstand temperature extremes and prolonged dry periods (orthodox seed) ability to tolerate soil conditions light tolerance seed stability when stored in large quantities suitability of seed for handling with mechanical seeding devices, development speed of a deep taproot by seedlings to enable them to withstand adverse climatic conditions in the period following germination. Species with highly palatable seeds have little prospect of success because wildlife eat the seed before it has a chance to germinate unless it is pelletized. Also, small seeds and lightweight, chaffy seeds are more likely to drift in the wind, so they are harder to target during the drop. Small seeds, however, fall into crevices and are then more likely to get covered with soil, thereby enhancing their chances of survival. Aerial seeding may prove to work best with "pioneer" species, which germinate rapidly on open sites, are adapted for growth on bare or disturbed areas, and grow well in direct sunlight. See also Agricultural drone References External links US Fish & Wildlife on aerial seeding Ohio State University paper on aerial wheat seeding "Bombing The Desert With Seed." Popular Mechanics, October 1947, p. 165–168, detailed article on post WW2 aerial seeding. Seeds General aviation