Enhancing the regeneration of compacted forest soils by planting black alder in skid lane tracks

Abstract

Soil compaction due to the use of heavy machinery for timber harvesting has become a widespread problem in forestry. However, only few studies deal with the regeneration of compacted forest soils. In the present study, we examined the potential of accelerating soil regeneration by planting black alder trees (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) in skid lane tracks. In 2003, seedlings were planted into the rut beds of severely compacted skid lanes in two Swiss forest sites. In addition, some of the ruts were filled with compost. In 2009 and 2010, we assessed the success of these measures by analysing physical parameters of soil structure (bulk density, total and coarse porosity and air permeability), root densities and tree growth. Tree growth was exceptionally strong on the skid lanes. Total and coarse soil porosity and air permeability showed significant increase in planted skid lanes as compared to untreated control subplots, approaching values found for untrafficked soil in the immediate vicinity. All soil physical parameters were closely correlated to root mass density. Compost application enhanced tree growth and soil structure regeneration on one site, but had a retarding effect on the other site. Planting black alders has great potential as an environmentally friendly measure to accelerate the structural regeneration of compacted forest soils in temperate humid climates. Keywords Soil compaction Á Soil structure regeneration Á Forest soil Á Black alder Á Root growth Communicated by A. Merino.

Initial recovery of compacted soil—planting and technical treatments decrease CO2 concentrations in soil and promote root growth

“…This mid-term recovery of soil structure, step by step, overlaid the increasing root respiration. Meyer et al (2014) observed a similar regeneration effect in terms of an enhanced soil aeration by planting black alder. These findings correspond to results obtained by our first linear mixed-effect model (Eq.…”

“…Some tree species can penetrate with their root systems compacted soils and consequently create pathways for gas exchange. While Meyer et al (2014) observed an increasing macroporosity and air conductance in skid trails planted with black alder (Alnus glutinosa; (L.) Gaertn. ), Gaertig et al (2002) showed that the ability of oaks (Quercus petraea; (Matt.)…”

“…Natural regeneration of compacted soil is driven by shrinkage and swelling processes due to freeze-thaw and wettingdrying cycles and by the activity of root and soil organisms such as earthworms (Meyer et al 2014). If compacted soils are solely left to self-regeneration, the recovery of soil functions can be very slow and can take decades.…”

The Influence of Slope Positions on the Recovery Response of Compacted Soil Properties and Enzyme Activity in an Oriental Beech Stand in the Hyrcanian Forests, Iran

“…The remediation and reclamation of compacted forest soils can be achieved by accelerating the soil physical and biological features with some artificial measures such as earthworms inoculation [18], seedling plantation [27,28], and mulching [10]. Natural processes such as the root-soil interactions, the expansion-retraction of clay particles, the freezing-thawing of water in soil, and the activities of soil biota can also support, to a certain degree, the natural restoration of compacted soil properties [21,29].…”

Variability of cone parameters and scale morphology in the black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) in the context of seed extraction

“…According to Murat (2002), Alnus trees may be planted as part of silvicultural treatments and phytomelioration, mostly in pine stands, as well as in the process of reconversion of degraded soils. Due to their constant demand for nutrients and a rapid growth rate, Alnus species are used as pioneer plants for the stabilization of river banks (Meyer et al 2014) and the reclamation of wetland sites, many of which have dried up in recent years (Beatty et al 2015). Of the three species mentioned above, the most highly valued one is the black alder as it can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere with the process of symbiosis with Frankia bacteria (Bond et al 1954).…”