**5. Conclusion**

Our assessment on vegetation cover of the plots showed, that under average conditions of high altitudes the necessary minimum vegetation cover between 70 % and 80 % can be reached the second vegetation period at the earliest. This requires application techniques with sufficient protection of soil surface for the first vegetation period.

During the second vegetation period, differences between used application technique are still visible but a satisfying developed vegetation cover reduces the total surface runoff and soil losses to an acceptable degree.

Due to the faster germination and early growth of commercial varieties, an increase of surface runoff and soil losses the weeks after sowing was expected for indigenous seed mixtures. However, the harsh conditions in high altitudes (low soil and air temperature, short vegetation period, frequent frost), causing environmental stress to the vegetation, reduced the competitiveness of commercial forage grasses and herbs and neutralized their greater productivity. Results obtained did not show substantial differences between seed mixtures on erosion processes during the first weeks after restoration. However, to reach sustainable vegetation with a cover exceeding the minimum requirement of 80 %, the use of indigenous seed mixtures would be a precondition.

The use of cover crops and nursery grasses did not have positive influence in view of a necessary reduction of surface runoff and soil losses during the first weeks after restoration. The environmental stress compensated also their capability of fast early growth, reducing the positive effects towards zero.

The comparison of hydroseeding to a simple hand sowing plus cover crop showed comparable results. This at least indicated a big risk in using this application technique in high altitudes without additional protection of soil surface.

A general comparison of all used application techniques during our assessments showed clear results. Only an additional cover of soil surface was able to reduce surface runoff and soil losses to an acceptable degree. Straw mulching as well as hay mulching, different mats, nets made from jute or coco, three-dimensional mats etc. could be applied. The use of application techniques with a satisfying additional cover of soil surface should be generally recommended for restoration of slopes in high altitudes.
