Effects of artificial plant cover on plant colonization of a bare peat surface

Salonen, Veikko

doi:10.2307/3236004

Cited by 34 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The remaining cutaway peatland has no vegetation or seed bank [18] [33] [42] [43]. Natural vegetation succession of cutaway peatlands is extremely slow process due to nutrient deficiencies and imbalances and the loose peat surface [44] [45] and abandoned sites can still after 20 years consist of mainly bare peat surface [43]. Our results confirmed the rather poor ability of cutaway peatlands to recover after peat extraction has ceased (see e.g.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Thus, although the immigration potential of mosses onto extracted peatlands is relatively high, colonization is, however, usually very scarce [49], indicating that factors other than spore supply restrict moss colonization [18] [33]. In many studies the availability of mineral nutrients, in particular P, is reported to have had a crucial effect on both plant coverage and species composition of the early-successional stage of extracted peatlands [44] [50] [51]. Additionally, there may be also other compounds besides mineral nutrients in ash that promote germination of pioneer plants, since even ten-fold coverage of pioneer mosses have been observed on ash-fertilized areas compared to the areas with PK-fertilizer application [18].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of Ash-Fertilization and Soil Preparation on Soil Respiration and Vegetation Colonization on Cutaway Peatlands

Silvan¹,

Hytönen²

2016

AJCC

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As a result of several decades of peat extraction, the area of cutaway peatlands in Finland totals ca. 50,000 ha. Furthermore, some 2000 -3000 ha of peatlands are abandoned annually from active peat extraction. Forestry is considered to be their main after-use option. However, since cutaway peat is generally rich in nitrogen, but poor in phosphorus and potassium, soil amelioration measures are needed for successful vegetation and afforestation. Soil preparations bringing mineral soil into peat surface or recycling of ash containing P and K are alternative ways for soil amelioration. We studied the initial effects of soil preparation and ash fertilization on soil CO2-effluxes and colonisation of cutaway peat by vegetation. Oppositely to the previous studies, this study shows that carbon released from the residual peat may be so high that the ash-fertilized cutaway peatlands still act as sources of carbon even after afforestation. However, even though the CO2-effluxes following ash fertilization or soil preparation may occasionally exceed the carbon sequestration into growing tree stands, afforestation mostly compensates the CO2-effluxes if also we take into consideration the below-ground biomass. In conclusion, our study shows that although ash-fertilization enhances the CO2-effluxes into the atmosphere, it has beneficial effects on the environment by enabling rapid colonisation of vegetation on these sites which would remain vegetationless for decades without soil amelioration.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Ash-Fertilization and Soil Preparation on Soil Respiration and Vegetation Colonization on Cutaway Peatlands

Silvan¹,

Hytönen²

2016

AJCC

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“…Fertilization with fertilizer containing P and K enhances the formation of vegetation on cutaway peatland (Salonen andLaaksonen 1994, Huotari et al 2007). The annual soil CO 2 emis sions due to decomposition of the remaining peat layer from the same afforested cutaway peatland area (Aitoneva, Kihniö) was measured to be 381 g C m -2 a -1 15-43 years after stand establishment, on average (Mäkiranta et al 2007).…”

Section: Biomass Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass and nutrition of naturally regenerated and coppiced birch on cutaway peatland during 37 years

Hytönen¹,

Aro²

2012

Silva Fenn.

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Biomass production and nutrient use of birch thickets with a mixture of willow on a cut away peatland in southern Finland over a period of 37 years was studied. Dense, naturally regenerated 16yearold birch stands were cut down, fertilized with either wood ash (P 108 and K 339 kg ha -1 ) or PK fertilizer (P 50 and K 95 kg ha -1 ) or left unfertilized. The biomass production of the coppiced stands and one uncut stand was monitored for a period of 21 years. Soil nutrient and foliar nutrient concentrations were analyzed several times during the study period. Ash fertilization supplied more nutrients than PK fertilization and increased the soil nutrient amounts more. The foliar phosphorus concentration of birch on control plots indicated a severe phosphorus deficiency which was removed by PK and ash fertilization. Fertilization did not increase nutrient concentrations of the stem (wood + bark) nor the amount of nutrients bound in the biomass. Two energy wood rotations (16+21 years) produced 124-158 Mg ha -1 of leafless, aboveground biomass altogether corresponding to 61-78 Mg ha -1 of carbon. The highest biomass yield was achieved with a rotation of 37 years in the uncut stand (211 Mg ha -1 ). Corresponding values for mean annual increment (MAI) were 3.4-4.3 Mg ha -1 and 5.7 Mg ha -1 . This study shows that the length of the rotation for birch in energy wood production should be longer than 21 years. PK and ash fertilization increased the biomass of coppiced 21yearold birch by 23 Mg ha -1 and 33 Mg ha -1 , respectively.

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“…Reintroducing Sphagnum with companion plant species is another alternative to create a more favorable, humid microclimate. Salonen (1992) showed experimentally that more plants have naturally recolonized barren peat fields under artificial plant covers than on bare peat. He associated this improved recolonization with increased moisture conditions and lower temperatures at the peat surface created by the artificial plant cover.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restoration techniques for Sphagnum-dominated peatlands

Ferland¹,

Rochefort²

1997

Can. J. Bot.

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Ombrotrophic peatlands in North America are harvested mainly for horticultural purposes. Following intense exploitation, these peatlands are generally abandoned to natural regeneration. The abandoned sites usually remain barren or poorly revegetated by a few vascular plants for several years. The post-harvested sites are not usually recolonized by Sphagnutn species (peat mosses), which are the key species to restore peatland functions. The objective of this study was to develop restoration techniques for post-harvested peatlands. The experiments centred on Sphagnum reintroduction, since peat mosses are responsible for peat accumulation. Vegetative Sphagnutn fragments were used as diaspores. Various methods of Sphagnum reintroduction were tested to ensure reliable colonization. A microrelief formed of ridges and depressions provided humid conditions in depressions which favored Sphagnutn establishment. Reintroducing Sphagtlritrl diaspores in combination with such companion plant species as Eriophorurn arzgrtstifoliutn also had a positive effect on the survival of peat mosses. A phosphorus amendment led to improved establishment of Sphagna and companion plant species.Key words: Sphagtlurn, microtopography, companion species, phosphorus, fertilization.Resume : Les tourbikres ombrotrophes sont des types de milieux humides exploites en Amerique du Nord pour des fins principalement horticoles. Au terme de I'exploitation, ces tourbikres sont gtneralement abandonnCes 2 la rCgCnCration naturelle. Les sites abandonnts demeurent le plus souvent dCnudCs ou faiblement revCgCtCs par certaines plantes vasculaires et ce, m&me aprks de nombreuses annCes. Ils ne sont gCnCralement pas recolonisCs par les sphaignes qui sont la vCgCtation clC pour restaurer les fonctions des tourbikres. L'objectif de cette Ctude Ctait de dCvelopper des techniques de restauration des tourbikres abandonnkes aprks exploitation. Les experiences ont port6 sur la reintroduction des sphaignes qui sont les plantes responsables de l'accumulation des dCp8ts de tourbe. Des fragments vCg6tatifs de sphaignes ont Ct C utilisCs comme diaspores. En vue d'assurer de meilleures chances de rkimplantation des sphaignes, diverses mCthodes ont Ct C testCes. La crCation d'un microrelief form6 de buttes et de dCpressions a fourni des conditions plus humides dans les dCpressions, ce qui a favoris6 I'Ctablissement des sphaignes. La prCsence de plantes-abri bien Ctablies tels les Eriophorum angustifoliutn, en association avec les diaspores de sphaignes, a eu un effet positif sur la survie de ces mousses. Une fertilisation de phosphore a conduit a une meilleure rkimplantation des sphaignes et des plantes compagnes.

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Effects of artificial plant cover on plant colonization of a bare peat surface

Cited by 34 publications

References 21 publications

Impact of Ash-Fertilization and Soil Preparation on Soil Respiration and Vegetation Colonization on Cutaway Peatlands

Impact of Ash-Fertilization and Soil Preparation on Soil Respiration and Vegetation Colonization on Cutaway Peatlands

Biomass and nutrition of naturally regenerated and coppiced birch on cutaway peatland during 37 years

Restoration techniques for Sphagnum-dominated peatlands

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