scholarly journals Erosion control blankets, organic amendments and site variability influenced the initial plant community at a limestone quarry in the Canadian Rocky Mountains

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 5243-5253 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Cohen-Fernández ◽  
M. A. Naeth
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Erosion Control ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Limestone Quarry ◽  
Wood Shavings

Abstract. Season of seeding and soil amendment with manure mix, wood shavings and erosion control blankets were evaluated over two growing seasons to determine their effect on soil properties and native grass establishment at a Canadian limestone quarry and lime processing plant. A season (fall, spring) of soil amending and seeding did not significantly affect revegetation or soil properties. Site characteristics such as slope, aspect, initial soil nutrients and surrounding plant communities influenced early plant community development and overall effects of soil treatments. Erosion control blankets resulted in the highest seeded plant cover and the lowest non-seeded plant cover despite not significantly changing soil chemical properties. Total nitrogen and carbon significantly increased establishment of seeded grasses and non-seeded species. Increased nitrogen and carbon in the constructed soils were best achieved through addition of manure. Wood shavings did not favour establishment of vegetation and resulted in similar, and in some cases less, vegetation than the controls. Assisted revegetation increased plant cover from < 6 to 50% and reduced cover of non-seeded species. Amendments that modified both chemical and physical soil conditions were best to increase vegetation establishment in the harsh conditions of the quarry.

scholarly journals Erosion control blankets, organic amendments and site variability influenced the initial plant community at a limestone quarry in the Canadian Rocky Mountains

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 3009-3037 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Cohen-Fernández ◽  
M. A. Naeth
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Erosion Control ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Limestone Quarry ◽  
Wood Shavings

Abstract. Season of seeding and soil amendment with manure mix, wood shavings and erosion control blankets were evaluated over two growing seasons to determine their effect on soil properties and native grass establishment at a Canadian limestone quarry and lime processing plant. Season (fall, spring) of soil amending and seeding did not significantly affect revegetation or soil properties. Site characteristics such as slope, aspect, initial soil nutrients and surrounding plant communities influenced early plant community development and overall effects of soil treatments. Erosion control blankets resulted in the highest seeded plant cover and the lowest non seeded plant cover despite not significantly changing soil chemical properties. Total nitrogen and carbon significantly increased establishment of seeded grasses and non seeded species. Increased nitrogen and carbon in the constructed soils were best achieved through addition of manure. Wood shavings did not favour establishment of vegetation and resulted in similar, and in some cases less, vegetation than controls. Assisted revegetation increased plant cover from < 6 to 50% and reduced cover of non seeded species. Amendments that modified both chemical and physical soil conditions were best to increase vegetation establishment in the harsh conditions of the quarry.

scholarly journals Soil Properties and Plant Community Changes along a Goat Grazing Intensity Gradient in an Open Canopy Oak Forest

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimilia LEMPESI ◽  
Apostolos P. KYRIAZOPOULOS ◽  
Michail ORFANOUDAKIS ◽  
Georgios KORAKIS
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Oak Forest ◽  
Goat Grazing ◽  
Open Canopy ◽  
Grazing Intensities ◽  
Soil Measurements

Understanding how the management practices of silvopastoral systems affect the long-term sustainability of oak ecosystems and what their influence is on nutrient cycling and plant community, is of great interest. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of relative grazing intensity on soil properties and on vegetation characteristics in an open canopy oak forest dominated by Quercus frainetto. The research was conducted in the area of Pentalofos, which is located in Evros region, north-eastern Greece and is grazed by goats. The distance from a goat corral was used to represent relative grazing intensity. In June 2011, soil and vegetation samples were collected along transects placed at 50, 150, 300, 600 and 1200 m from the goat corral, running perpendicular to three replicates. Soil measurements included pH, phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations while vegetation measurements included plant cover, species composition and diversity. Plant cover was not significantly different among grazing intensities. Species diversity, especially of the woody vegetation layer, was significantly higher in the light grazing intensity in comparison to both the heavy and the very light grazing. Heavy grazing reduced soil organic matter while it increased total nitrogen. Grazing intensity did not affect available P and soil pH. Light to moderate goat grazing could ameliorate floristic diversity and increase sustainability of oak forests in the Mediterranean region.

scholarly journals Soil Restoration through the Application of Organic Mulch Following Skidding Operations Causing Vehicle Induced Compaction in the Hyrcanian Forests, Northern Iran

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1060
Author(s):  
Azadeh Khoramizadeh ◽  
Meghdad Jourgholami ◽  
Mohammad Jafari ◽  
Rachele Venanzi ◽  
Farzam Tavankar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Restoration ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Organic Mulch ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

In this study an attempt was made to assess how different mulches affect the soil environment. In particular, different organic mulches such as leaf litter, straw and sawdust were tested in order to assess their capacities to amend the soil conditions. These analyses were carried out in the Hyrcanian mixed broadleaved forest. Organic mulches can compensate the litter layer loss on compaction-induced soil and accelerate the restoration process of soil properties, which takes from a few years to several decades without mulching. However, comprehensive knowledge on the effects of organic mulch on soil quality in terms of compaction-induced soil in the scientific literature is still scarce and inadequate. The main aim of the study was to examine the effects of three organic mulches (leaf litter, straw and sawdust) on the restoration of forestry vehicle-induced soil properties in the skid trail over a 2-year period. The results showed as the values of soil physical and chemical properties in litter, straw and sawdust treatments were significantly restored as compared with the values in the untreated soil. In general, leaf litter supplies nutrients at higher rates than the straw and sawdust mulches. However, according to the current results, a 2-year period is not enough to return the soil physical and chemical properties to pre-traffic levels. Furthermore, the present study shows that organic mulch spread on the surface of mineral soil in the skid trails after machine traffic acts as a fertilizer to accelerate the decomposition of organic matter.

scholarly journals Soil and Plant Characteristics in a Restored Area under Mid-Term Site Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4433
Author(s):  
Sara Martelletti ◽  
Fabio Meloni ◽  
Michele Freppaz ◽  
Andrea Paone ◽  
Michele Lonati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Physical And Chemical Properties ◽  
Grassland Species ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
And Chemical Properties

Mid- and long-term monitoring of restoration projects have to be performed, as short-term evaluations do not give comprehensive information about their outcomes. In this study, we assessed the results of a forest restoration project, implemented in former road builder’s yards. We evaluated the recovery of the soil’s physical and chemical properties, the effectiveness and naturalness of sward restoration, and the success of woody species planting. Our hypotheses were that soil–plant interaction strongly influenced the restoration dynamics. The areas were restored in 2016. In 2014, we collected data from 28 restored areas. Eight years after the restoration, the physical and chemical properties of the soil indicated good quality. Suitable soil conditions were reflected in the herbaceous vegetation cover, which was higher than 60% in all the areas. The sown mixture successfully contained spontaneous species, and perennials prevailed over annuals, indicating stability in the composition of the sward. Alien species cover (generally < 10%) was controlled by sown species. Sown species also outcompeted ruderal and typical grassland species, reducing the naturalness of the herbaceous layer. Tree and shrub growth was low, and soil properties did not affect their height. Our results underline the importance of sowing an herbaceous species mixture in degraded areas in order to efficiently restore the soil cover and to reduce the colonization of alien species. Moreover, in our study, we showed how soil properties differently affected plant species groups.

scholarly journals Changes in soil properties in a low-quality broadleaf mixed forest after cutting strip reforms in a 9-year period in Northeastern China

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiwen Guan ◽  
Xibin Dong ◽  
Tian Zhang ◽  
Yuan Meng ◽  
Jiafu Ruan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Index Method ◽  
Study Region

Abstract. Strip reforms with widths of 6 m, 10 m, 14 m and 18 m were carried out in a low-quality broadleaf mixed forest in Greater Khingan Mountains. The influence of time on soil properties, including physical and chemical properties, were analysed on the basis of data of the soil components obtained from nine consecutive years (from 2010 to 2018). In the meantime, a principal component analysis was used to determine the weight of each soil indicator, and the fuzzy comprehensive index method was applied to provide further insight into the variation of soil quality. We found that most soil physical properties were damaged by cutting within 3 years and can be restored after 6 years. Over the 9 years, soil physical properties displayed some differences across cutting strip widths, while chemical properties did not display any differences. In terms of chemical properties, they need more time to recover. In view of the current research years, the soil quality could not be restored in the 18-m harvesting zone within nine years. The cutting width of 10 m is more obvious than that of other transformation widths, so 10 m is the best width for cutting strips for the forest. This study has important implications for sustainable management of the mixed natural broadleaf forest in the study region and beyond. A larger width of the cutting strip in this type of forest in the region should be avoided. Moreover, for forest soil conditions, we need to continue long-term observations.

scholarly journals Effect of Application of Different Quality Water through Pitcher Irrigation and Tillage Types on Tomato Production and Soil Properties of Coastal Saline Soil of West Bengal

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Adhikary ◽  
Arunabha Pal ◽  
S.K. De
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Saline Soil ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Primary Input ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Coastal Saline Soil ◽  
Quality Water

Background: Water and tillage are the primary input for crop production and increasingly become scarce due to its high demand in agricultural sector. Pitcher irrigation, a traditional system of irrigation alternative to drip method is the effective innovation of localized methods of irrigation. Methods: In this experiment different quality water through pitcher irrigation and tillage types were taken from coastal saline soil. The effects of yield factor, soil chemical properties of saline soil were studied using pitcher irrigation and tillage types. Result: Results indicate that soil physical and chemical properties were all significantly improved by different pitcher irrigation with tillage practices. Results also showed that present experiment favoring better soil conditions, nutrient availabilities towards better growth and yield of crops. Our study suggests that blending of saline with freshwater in presence of mulch tillage can provide the best estimation in the improving soil properties and tomato production above the coastal saline soil.

scholarly journals From the Ground Up: Prairies on Reclaimed Mine Land—Impacts on Soil and Vegetation

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 455
Author(s):  
Rebecca M. Swab ◽  
Nicola Lorenz ◽  
Nathan R. Lee ◽  
Steven W. Culman ◽  
Richard P. Dick
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Prairie Restoration ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Prairie Restorations ◽  
Mine Lands ◽  
The Impact

After strip mining, soils typically suffer from compaction, low nutrient availability, loss of soil organic carbon, and a compromised soil microbial community. Prairie restorations can improve ecosystem services on former agricultural lands, but prairie restorations on mine lands are relatively under-studied. This study investigated the impact of prairie restoration on mine lands, focusing on the plant community and soil properties. In southeast Ohio, 305 ha within a ~2000 ha area of former mine land was converted to native prairie through herbicide and planting between 1999–2016. Soil and vegetation sampling occurred from 2016–2018. Plant community composition shifted with prairie age, with highest native cover in the oldest prairie areas. Prairie plants were more abundant in older prairies. The oldest prairies had significantly more soil fungal biomass and higher soil microbial biomass. However, many soil properties (e.g., soil nutrients, β-glucosoidase activity, and soil organic carbon), as well as plant species diversity and richness trended higher in prairies, but were not significantly different from baseline cool-season grasslands. Overall, restoration with prairie plant communities slowly shifted soil properties, but mining disturbance was still the most significant driver in controlling soil properties. Prairie restoration on reclaimed mine land was effective in establishing a native plant community, with the associated ecosystem benefits.

scholarly journals Biochar Improves Maize Growth but Has a Limited Effect on Soil Properties: Evidence from a Three-Year Field Experiment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3617
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Medyńska-Juraszek ◽  
Agnieszka Latawiec ◽  
Jolanta Królczyk ◽  
Adam Bogacz ◽  
Dorota Kawałko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Field Experiment ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Maize Growth ◽  
Chemical Soil ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Biochar application is reported as a method for improving physical and chemical soil properties, with a still questionable impact on the crop yields and quality. Plant productivity can be affected by biochar properties and soil conditions. High efficiency of biochar application was reported many times for plant cultivation in tropical and arid climates; however, the knowledge of how the biochar affects soils in temperate climate zones exhibiting different properties is still limited. Therefore, a three-year-long field experiment was conducted on a loamy Haplic Luvisol, a common arable soil in Central Europe, to extend the laboratory-scale experiments on biochar effectiveness. A low-temperature pinewood biochar was applied at the rate of 50 t h−1, and maize was selected as a tested crop. Biochar application did not significantly impact the chemical soil properties and fertility of tested soil. However, biochar improved soil physical properties and water retention, reducing plant water stress during hot dry summers, and thus resulting in better maize growth and higher yields. Limited influence of the low-temperature biochar on soil properties suggests the crucial importance of biochar-production technology and biochar properties on the effectiveness and validity of its application in agriculture.

scholarly journals Shifts in soil and plant functional diversity along an altitudinal gradient in the French Alps

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexia Stokes ◽  
Guillermo Angeles ◽  
Fabien Anthelme ◽  
Eduardo Aranda-Delgado ◽  
Isabelle Barois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Biophysical Properties ◽  
Tropical Zone ◽  
Soil Microbial

Abstract Objectives Altitude integrates changes in environmental conditions that determine shifts in vegetation, including temperature, precipitation, solar radiation and edaphogenetic processes. In turn, vegetation alters soil biophysical properties through litter input, root growth, microbial and macrofaunal interactions. The belowground traits of plant communities modify soil processes in different ways, but it is not known how root traits influence soil biota at the community level. We collected data to investigate how elevation affects belowground community traits and soil microbial and faunal communities. This dataset comprises data from a temperate climate in France and a twin study was performed in a tropical zone in Mexico. Data description The paper describes soil physical and chemical properties, climatic variables, plant community composition and species abundance, plant community traits, soil microbial functional diversity and macrofaunal abundance and diversity. Data are provided for six elevations (1400–2400 m) ranging from montane forest to alpine prairie. We focused on soil biophysical properties beneath three dominant plant species that structure local vegetation. These data are useful for understanding how shifts in vegetation communities affect belowground processes, such as water infiltration, soil aggregation and carbon storage. Data will also help researchers understand how plant communities adjust to a changing climate/environment.

scholarly journals Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FH-1 significantly affects cucumber seedlings and the rhizosphere bacterial community but not soil

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Wang ◽  
Song Xu ◽  
Rong Yang ◽  
Wei Zhao ◽  
Dan Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria ◽  
Linear Discriminant ◽  
Cucumber Seedlings ◽  
Ecological Roles ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting ◽  
Rhizosphere Bacterial Community

AbstractPlant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) inoculants have been applied worldwide. However, the ecological roles of PGPB under different soil conditions are still not well understood. The present study aimed to explore the ecological roles of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FH-1 (FH) on cucumber seedlings, rhizosphere soil properties, and the bacterial community in pot experiments. The results showed that FH had significant effects on cucumber seedlings and the rhizosphere bacterial community but not on soil properties. The FH promoted cucumber seedlings growth, reduced the rhizosphere bacterial diversity, increased Proteobacteria, and decreased Acidobacteria. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) revealed that FH enriched two taxa (GKS2_174 and Nannocystaceae) and inhibited 18 taxa (mainly Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, BRC1, Chloroflexi, Plantctomycetes, and Verrucomicrobia). Co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that FH increased bacteria-bacteria interactions and that Bacillus (genus of FH) had few interactions with the enriched and inhibited taxa. This might indicate that FH does not directly affect the enriched and inhibited taxa. Correlation analysis results displayed that cucumber seedlings’ weight and height/length (except root length) were significantly correlated with the 18 inhibited taxa and the enriched taxa Nannocystaceae. It was speculated that FH might promote cucumber seedling growth by indirectly enriching Nannocystaceae and inhibiting some taxa from Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, BRC1, Chloroflexi, Plantctomycetes, and Verrucomicrobia.

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