Aerial Seeding: An Effective Forest Restoration Method in Highly Degraded Forest Landscapes of Sub-Tropic Regions

Abstract

Abstract:Carbon stock is an important indicator of cumulative ecosystem productivity. Using this indicator, and based on field sampling data, this paper compared the long-term difference in carbon stocks between aerial seeding (AS) and natural regeneration (NR) forests of Pinus massoniana in sub-tropic forests, China, in order to assess the effectiveness of AS in a highly degraded forest landscape. The results showed that the carbon stocks of stems, branches, roots, and trees (including stems, branches, leaves, and roots) were 140%, 85%, 110%, and 110%, significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the NR forests than those in the AS forests at the ages of 11-20 years, respectively. In addition, the carbon stocks of understory, litter and soil were also 176%, 151%, and 77%, significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the NR forests than those in the AS forests at the same age range, respectively. However, with increasing age (i.e., >21 years), those differences became statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). The total carbon stocks of the two forest types also showed a similar pattern. Those results clearly demonstrate that AS was an effective mean for restoring carbon stocks in highly degraded areas, even though their early growth was lower than the NR forests, and thus can be applied in the regions where the areas with limited seed sources and road accessibility.

Assessment of the Ecosystem Service Function of Sandy Lands at Different Times Following Aerial Seeding of an Endemic Species

“…Aerial seeding uses the plane as platform, broadcasts the tree (grass) seed on the proper ground to make the seeds germinate, with the help of natural rainfall and optimum temperature, due to the characteristics of forest's natural renewal ability, and with such methods the forest resources could sequentially expand and the forest vegetation increase. Aerial seeding has been widely used around the world [9][10][11][12][13]. Nevertheless, aerial seeding as a means of vegetation recovery, and its effectiveness on the restoration of ecosystem service function, has been rarely examined [9].…”

“…Aerial seeding has been widely used around the world [9][10][11][12][13]. Nevertheless, aerial seeding as a means of vegetation recovery, and its effectiveness on the restoration of ecosystem service function, has been rarely examined [9].…”

Aerial glyphosate application reduces grey willow (Salix cinerea) canopy cover, increases light availability, and stimulates kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) growth

“…Aerially broadcasting seed may be an option for reintroducing kahikatea propagules to large areas without disturbing plant communities. This method has been successfully employed for restoration purposes in other countries (Bassett et al 2015;Xiao et al 2015).…”

Peer Review #3 of "Different revegetation types alter soil physical-chemical characteristics and fungal community in the Baishilazi Nature Reserve (v0.1)"

“…Manuscript to be reviewed zones in China is severely damaged, with reduced biodiversity and deteriorated ecological functions (Liu & Diamond, 2005). Numerous researches have established that vegetation restoration is an important measure to obtain ecological benefits (Gao et al, 2002;Nunezmir et al, 2015;Xiao et al, 2015), such as enhancing biodiversity (Dosskey et al, 2012), the restoration of damaged natural ecological system (Fule´ et al 2012), and the recovery of ecosystem services (Benayas & Bullock, 2009). Revegetation also has numerous positive effects on soil physicochemical characteristics, such as soil bulk density, field capacity , infiltration rates (Wu et al, 2016), soil organic carbon (Georgiadis et al, 2017), and soil nitrogen (Fu et al, 2010).…”