scholarly journals Linking floral biodiversity with nitrogen and carbon translocations in semi-natural grasslands in Lithuani

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-146
Author(s):  
Saulius Marcinkonis ◽  
Birutė Karpavičienė ◽  
Michael A. Fullen

AbstractThe aim of the present study is to evaluate the long-term effects of long-term piggery effluent application on semi-natural grassland ecotop-phytotop changes (above- and below-ground phytomass production, and carbon and nitrogen allocation in grassland communities) in relation to changes (or variability) in topsoil properties. Analysis of phytomass distribution in piggery effluent irrigated grassland communities showed that dry biomass yield varied from 1.7−5.3 t ha-1. Variability in soil and plant cover created a unique and highly unpredictable site specific system, where long-term anthropogenic influences established successor communities with specific characteristics of above- and below-ground biomass distribution. These characteristics depend more on grassland communities than on soil chemical properties. Families of grasses (Poaceae) dominated the surveyed communities and accumulated most carbon and least nitrogen, while legumes accumulated most nitrogen and lignin and least carbon. Carbon concentrations in above-ground biomass had minor variations, while accumulation of nitrogen was strongly influenced by species diversity (r = 0.94, n = 10, p <0.001) and production of above-ground biomass

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Burgeon ◽  
Julien Fouché ◽  
Sarah Garré ◽  
Ramin Heidarian-Dehkordi ◽  
Gilles Colinet ◽  
...  

&lt;p&gt;The amendment of biochar to soils is often considered for its potential as a climate change mitigation and adaptation tool through agriculture. Its presence in tropical agroecosystems has been reported to positively impact soil productivity whilst successfully storing C on the short&amp;#8201;and long-term. In temperate systems, recent research showed limited to no effect on productivity following recent biochar addition to soils. Its long-term effects on productivity and nutrient cycling have, however, been overlooked yet are essential before the use of biochar can be generalized.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our study was set up in a conventionally cropped field, containing relict charcoal kiln sites used as a model for century old biochar (CoBC, ~220 years old). These sites were compared to soils amended with recently pyrolyzed biochar (YBC) and biochar free soils (REF) to study nutrient dynamics in the soil-water-plant system. Our research focused on soil chemical properties, crop nutrient uptake and soil solution nutrient concentrations. Crop plant samples were collected over three consecutive land occupations (chicory, winter wheat and a cover crop) and soil solutions gathered through the use of suctions cups inserted in different horizons of the studied Luvisol throughout the field.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our results showed that YBC mainly influenced the soil solution composition whereas CoBC mainly impacted the total and plant available soil nutrient content. In soils with YBC, our results showed lower nitrate and potassium concentrations in subsoil horizons, suggesting a decreased leaching, and higher phosphate concentrations in topsoil horizons. With time and the oxidation of biochar particles, our results reported higher total soil N, available K and Ca in the topsoil horizon when compared to REF, whereas available P was significantly smaller. Although significant changes occurred in terms of plant available nutrient contents and soil solution nutrient concentrations, this did not transcend in variations in crop productivity between soils for neither of the studied crops. Overall, our study highlights that young or aged biochar behave as two distinct products in terms of nutrient cycling in soils. As such the sustainability of these soils differ and their management must therefore evolve with time.&lt;/p&gt;


Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Frederick Gyasi Damptey ◽  
Klaus Birkhofer ◽  
Paul Kofi Nsiah ◽  
Enrique G. de la Riva

The ongoing global deforestation resulting from anthropogenic activities such as unsustainable agriculture and surface mining threatens biodiversity and decreases both soil carbon and above-ground biomass stocks. In this study, we assessed soil properties and below- and above-ground biomass attributes in a restored former gravel mine area in Ghana two decades after active restoration with potted plants and fresh topsoil. We compared conditions to four alternative land-use types (unrestored abandoned gravel mine, arable land, semi-natural forest, and natural forest) representing pre- and post-disturbance as well as natural reference states. We hypothesized that soil properties and related levels of below- and above-ground biomass in the restored area share similarities with the natural reference systems and thereby are indicative of a trajectory towards successful restoration. Eight replicated subareas in each land-use type were assessed for a set of soil parameters as well as below- and above-ground biomass attributes. The soil properties characteristic for the restored area differed significantly from pre-restoration stages, such as the abandoned gravel site, but did not differ significantly from properties in the natural forest (except for bulk density and base saturation). Above-ground biomass was lower in the restored area in comparison to the reference natural forests, while differences were not significant for below-ground biomass. Silt and effective cation exchange capacity were closely related to above-ground biomass, while below-ground biomass was related to soil organic carbon, bulk density, and potassium concentration in soils. Our results suggest that major steps towards successful restoration can be accomplished within a relatively short period, without the wholesale application of topsoil. Improving soil conditions is a vital tool for the successful development of extensive vegetation cover after surface mining, which also affects carbon sequestration by both above- and below-ground biomass. We emphasize that the use of reference systems provides critical information for the monitoring of ecosystem development towards an expected future state of the restored area.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suryono Suryono ◽  
Nirwani Soenardjo ◽  
Edi Wibowo ◽  
Raden Ario ◽  
Edi Fahrur Rozy

Ekosistem mangrove memiliki fungsi ekologis sebagai penyerap dan penyimpan karbon. Mangrove menyerap CO2 pada saat proses fotosintesis, kemudian mengubahnya menjadi karbohidrat dengan menyimpannya dalam bentuk biomassa pada akar ,pohon, serta daun. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui total above ground biomass, belowground biomass, simpanan karbon atas, simpanan karbon bawah, dan karbon organik pada sedimen dasar  di Hutan Mangrove Perancak, Jembrana, Bali. Sampling dilakukan dengan  metode purposive sampling dengan dasar pertimbangan berupa jenis, kerapatan serta diameter pohon mangrove. Estimasi biomassa digunakan  metode tanpa pemanenan dengan mengukur diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.3 m) mangrove. Simpanan karbon diestimasi dari 46% biomasa. Kandungan karbon organik pada sedimen diukur dengan  menggunakan metode lost on ignition (LOI). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan total above ground biomass sebesar 187,21 ton/ha, below ground biomass sebesar 125,43 ton/ha, simpanan karbon atas sebesar 86,11 ton/ha, simpanan karbon bawah sebesar 57,69 ton/ha, sedangkan  karbon organik sedimen sebesar 359,24 ton/ha. The mangrove ecosystem has ecological functions as an absorber and carbon storage. Mangrove absorbs CO2 during the process of photosynthesis, then changes it into carbohydrates bystoring it in the form of tree biomass. The aim of this research is to know the total of above ground biomass, below ground biomass, upper carbon storage, lower carbon storage, and sediment organic carbon in Perancak Mangrove Forest, Jembrana, Bali. The selection of sampling location using purposive sampling method with consideration of type, density and diameter of mangrove. The estimatorion of biomass using the method without harvesting by measuring diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.3 m) mangrove. Carbon deposits are estimated from46% of biomass. The organic carbon content of sediment was measured using the lost on ignition (LOI) method. The results showedthat  the total of above ground biomass of 187.21 ton / ha, below ground biomass 125,43 ton / ha, upper carbon store of 86,11 ton / ha, lower carbon store of 57,69 ton / ha, and organic carbon sedimen to 359.24 tons / ha.


2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 505-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Liu ◽  
W. Zhang ◽  
Z. Liu ◽  
F. Qu ◽  
X. Tang

In order to restore the impaired forest ecosystem in China, great efforts including the banning of the animal grazing and cutting woods for fuel, and implementation of the &lsquo;Grain for Green&rsquo; program have been made by the central and local government of China. The objective of this research was to investigate the changes in above-ground biomass and species diversity after 22 years of vegetation recovery efforts in the lower Taihang Mountain of China. The results indicated that over the natural restoration process shrubs became the dominant species in 2008, while herbs were the dominant species back in 1986. Community coverage, height and above-ground biomass showed significant increases in 2008 compared to 1986. Shrubs showed significant increases in coverage, height, and above-ground biomass, whereas herbs significantly increased in height, but decreased in above-ground biomass. Over the 22-year natural restoration process, the species richness index and the Shannon-Wiener&rsquo;s index had been significantly decreased, whereas the Simpson&rsquo;s predominance index and the Pielou&rsquo;s evenness index had been significantly increased. Long-term vegetation recovery efforts improved the impaired forest ecosystem in lower Taihang Mountain to some extent: significant increases in both community coverage and above-ground biomass. The significant increase in community coverage can reduce the soil loss by wind and water erosion, and increase in the above-ground biomass will improve the soil chemical properties and physical structure. A comprehensive assessment of the success of vegetation recovery should include the evaluation of the changes in ecological process such as soil biological activities in the future research.


2000 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 397-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. NOBLE ◽  
A. P. HURNEY

In many highly weathered soils of the humid tropics, crop exploitation of the subsoil environment is limited through acid soil infertility. Since the use of mechanical profile modification is often prohibitive, surface incorporation of soil amendments is often the only means available to rectify this problem. A field trial was established with sugarcane on a strongly Acidic Dystrophic Brown Dermosol (Oxic Humitropept) in 1978 to evaluate the effects of surface incorporated lime additions on yield and performance of sugarcane. Eighteen years after the establishment of this trial, significant responses in cane yield were still evident following a single application of 5 t lime ha−1 made in 1978, as well as repeated applications of 5 t ha−1 on three occasions over the past 18 years. Progressive reductions in exchangeable acidity were accompanied by increases in subsoil Ca2+ and Mg2+. Soil pH increased significantly to a depth of 100 cm, this being attributed to the formation of ion pairs with NO3 in the surface soil, the subsequent leaching of these complexes and the differential uptake of NO3 at depth by roots. The results from this long-term study indicate that surface incorporation of lime is an economically viable approach to the remediation of subsoil acidity on soils such as those studied, namely, those with a low inherent cation exchange capacity and anion exchange capacity.


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