Changes in forest soil properties and spruce stands characteristics after dolomite, magnesite and serpentinite fertilization

Abstract

We have to deal with spruce dieback in recent years in Europe. Fertilization can be used to reduce susceptibility to forest dying through improving the chemical properties of soil. The aim of this study was to assess the condition of soil and spruce stand after dolomite, magnesite and serpentinite fertilization. The fertilization was used to sustain a stable condition and extended the life of spruce stands by several years which allows the reconstruction of the stand. The experimental plots were set up in the areas of two Carpathian nappes, differing in terms of lithological deposits, in Wisła and Ujsoły Forest Districts. Fertilization improves the chemical properties and enzymes activity of soil. The used fertilization variants did not cause inhibition of soil enzymatic activity. The effect of liming is visible mainly in the humus horizon, and in the deeper mineral soil, a significant change was not found. Heavy metals, mainly nickel introduced with serpentinite, did not inhibit the activity of enzymes. As a result of fertilization, the process of dying spruce was delayed. Three years after fertilization, a clear improvement in the chemistry of spruce needles was not recorded.

Assessment of forest soil contamination in Krakow surroundings in relation to the type of stand

“…The inhibition of urease and dehydrogenase activity as a result of heavy metal pollution has been reported by many scientists (Chen et al 2005;Shen et al 2005;Sardar et al 2010). The sequence of inhibition of urease activity was generally in the decreasing order of Cr [ Cd [ Cu [ Zn [ Mn [ Pb. However, the stimulating effects of heavy metals have also been documented (Bååth 1989;Błońska et al 2015). In the present study, a positive correlation was noted between urease activity and the content of Cd, Ni and Zn as well as between dehydrogenase activity and the content of Ni.…”

Seven spruce species on a mountain site - performance, foliar nutrients, and forest floor properties in stands 20 years old

“…In air-polluted conditions, such soil-improving measures as additions of fertilizing rocks have been found promising (Nárovec & Šach 1994) and also have been tested many times. Blonska et al (2015) found the addition to soil of dolomite (2-4 Mg ha -1 ), magnesite (2-4 Mg ha -1 ), and serpentine (2-4 Mg ha -1 ) did not improve the foliar nutrient status of Norway spruce compared to a no-fertilizer control. As measured by nutrient concentrations in Norway spruce needles, application of dolomitic limestone within the Jizerka study site (see methods and Balcar & Podrázsky 1994) was not observed to have any explicit effect.…”

Effects of magnesite fertilization on soil properties and nutrition state of weakened Norway Spruce stands in the Śnieżnik Massif of Polish Eastern Sudety Mountains

“…Norway spruce is one of the principal species in Poland and neighboring countries, where it provides substantial quantities of valuable wood (Fober 2007, Vacek et al 2003. The process of spruce monoculture decline has been occurring over large areas in all elevation zones of mountains in Poland (Modrzyński 2003, Małek et al 2014, Błońska et al 2015 and other central European countries (Vacek et al 2013 and2019). This process has accelerated up to achieving a dramatic rate in the 21 st century, especially after 2004 year.…”