Evaluation of the efficiency of the imperative ecological remediation regarding tree growth, root development, and edaphic properties after Typhoon Hato (2017) in Zhuhai, China

Abstract

Background: urban forest in coastal cities encounters multiple disturbances of frequent typhoon events caused by global change, under which ecological remediation can help to improve urban environment. We measured and analyzed the growth and ecosystem services of four newly-planted tree species in Zhuhai after Typhoon Hato (2017), aiming to evaluate the efficiency of the ecological remediation. Methods: National Meteorological Information Center of China supplied climate variables. From June 2018 to December 2019, we measured soil physical and chemical properties, above- and below-ground development regarding stem, tree height, and root growth of all the selected tree species. Results: Sl (Sterculia lanceolata Cav.), Ir (Ilex rotunda Thunb), Ss (Schima superba Gardn. et Champ.) could be more wind-resistant from the above-ground morphological perspective. For the below-ground process, Sl was the only tree species with continuous development, while Ir, Ss, and Es (Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir.) decreased. Furthermore, Sl, Ir, and Ss maintained their investment in deep roots when Es had apparent deep root biomass reduction. The edaphic condition showed notable improvement in chemical properties rather than physical properties, especially for AN (available nitrogen), AK (available potassium), and SOM (soil organic matter). Conclusions: The ecological remediation in Zhuhai after Typhoon Hato (2017) was efficient, and in the future, tree species like Sl with advantages in root development and morphological profile were preferentially recommender for plantation in typhoon-affected areas.

Growth patterns and environmental adaptions of the tree species planted for ecological remediation in typhoon-disturbed areas—A case study in Zhuhai, China

“…At 12:50 on 23rd August, it landed on Zhuhai at wind scale 14 and moved forward in the northwest direction (Figure 1). During its route in Zhuhai lasting over 4 h, more than 25% of urban trees in Zhuhai were damaged by the strong wind (Zhang et al, 2021). After the typhoon left, the local administrative department implemented imperative ecological remediation in typhoon-affected areas.…”

“…The past decades have witnessed robust evidence that global change was progressively affecting human society and natural ecosystems, accompanying increasing intensity and frequency of extreme climatic events altering ecosystem structures and functions well outside normal variability (Altman et al, 2013;Tollefson, 2018). Combined with the fast-growing urbanization, typhoon events in coastal cities had caused enormous economic loss and ecosystem's severe degradation, which had emphasized the demand for extensive attention and profound understanding (Zhang et al, 2021). Currently, most relevant researches were conducted from meteorological perspectives.…”

“…Stratópoulos et al noted that tree species had different strategies for belowground growth and root:shoot ratios to adapt to the changing environment (Stratópoulos et al, 2019). Moreover, it was noticed that the fine root development had pivotal importance for trees' supplying multiple ecosystem services, especially for ecological remediation against typhoon disturbances (Zhang et al, 2021). Consequently, comprehensive knowledge of trees' growth patterns could contribute potently to a profound understanding of their physiological statuses and ecosystem services, which also promoted the clarification of the efficiency of forest remediation.…”