Experimental arid land afforestation in Central Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

The afforestation of arid lands faces many challenges, and perhaps the most important key for success is choosing one or more species that are adapted well for local environmental conditions. We explored species that would be suitable for the steppe region of Central Anatolia. Intensive site preparation included ripping the subsoil (to 80 cm) and plowing the upper soil before planting seedlings of Elaeagnus angustifolia, Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus angustifolia, and Pinus nigra were used as tree species. We also tested the success of several shrub species: Amygdalus orientalis, Calligonum polygonoides, and Spartium junceum. After five growing seasons, E. angustifolia showed the highest survival, with 80% of planted seedlings remaining. For the shrubs, A. orientalis was the most successful species with a 95% survival rate. Broad-leaved trees grew a cumulative average of 34 cm in height in 5 years, whereas P. nigra seedings grew only 9 cm. The greatest height growth occurred in the shrubs, with A. orientalis gaining 40 cm in height in 5 years. Overall, E. angustifolia and A. orientalis appeared best suited for afforestation in these areas. R. pseodoacacia and F. angustifolia may also be used as alternative species.

Urgent need for updating the slogan of global climate actions from “tree planting” to “restore native vegetation”

“…The success rate of afforestation in areas that are too arid for trees would be low and hence the carbon targets are unlikely to be met. Intensive forestry techniques may decrease the mortality of trees but entail heavy soil disturbance (Yildiz et al 2018), compromising soil carbon stocks and questioning the net effect on carbon storage. Moreover, afforestation in arid areas can have detrimental regional side effects, including soil salinization and negative water balance (Jackson et al 2005;Wang et al 2020;Li et al 2021).…”

A Case for Assessing Allocasuarina and Casuarina Spp. For Use in Agroecosystem Improvement in Semi-Arid Areas With a Focus on Central Anatolia, Turkey

“…Some indigenous species are already being used or considered for ecological rather than silvicultural purposes in Central Anatolia, and the challenge of species selection is well recognized [52] . Large areas of trees have been planted for revegetation purposes since the 1960s, but often with limited success that is considered to be due to inadequate research [52] , particularly in species selection. In the study of Yildiz et al [52] , Elaeagnus angustifolia was considered to offer significant potential for arid land reafforestation.…”

“…Large areas of trees have been planted for revegetation purposes since the 1960s, but often with limited success that is considered to be due to inadequate research [52] , particularly in species selection. In the study of Yildiz et al [52] , Elaeagnus angustifolia was considered to offer significant potential for arid land reafforestation. Notably, this species is considered a seriously invasive species in Canada and the USA, and well adapted to infertile soil because its roots are nodulated by the nitrogen-fixing actinomycete, Frankia [53] .…”

“…Notably, this species is considered a seriously invasive species in Canada and the USA, and well adapted to infertile soil because its roots are nodulated by the nitrogen-fixing actinomycete, Frankia [53] . Mostly, Pinus nigra, has been planted, but its survival and growth can be far from optimal, especially in sites with greater water stress [52] , so a range of other indigenous species are under consideration [54] .…”

Fertilization and Shading Trials to Promote Pinus nigra Seedlings’ Nursery Growth under the Climate Change Demands

“…In forestry practice, P. nigra seedlings are transplanted into the field as two or three-year old seedlings because of their relatively low growth rate during the first few years [16][17][18][19]. Larger planting stock has a higher nutrient and carbohydrate content, which can promote field performance [20].…”