Effects of topsoil treatments on afforestation in a dry Mediterranean climate (southern Spain)

Abstract

Abstract. Afforestation programs in semiarid areas are associated with a high level of sapling mortality. Therefore, the development of alternative low-cost and low-environmentalimpact afforestation methods that ensure the survival of seedlings is crucial for improving the efficiency of Mediterranean forest management. This study assessed the effects of five types of soil amendments on the afforestation success (e.g., plant growth and survival) of a Mediterranean semiarid area. The amendments tested were (i) straw mulch; (ii) mulch containing chipped branches of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis L.); (iii) sheep manure compost; (iv) sewage sludge from a wastewater treatment plant; and (v) TerraCottem hydroabsorbent polymer. We hypothesized that in the context of dry Mediterranean climatic conditions, the use of organic amendments would enhance plant establishment and ensure successful afforestation. The results showed that afforestation success varied among the various soil amendment treatments in the experimental plots. The amendments had no effect on soil organic carbon, pH, or salinity, but the results indicated that the addition of mulch or hydroabsorbent polymer can reduce transplant stress by increasing the soil water available for plant growth throughout the hydrological year, and potentially improve the success of afforestation by reducing plant mortality.

Carbon balance as affected by biosolid application in reforestations

“…Organic amendments constitute an interesting opportunity for enhancing organic matter and fertility of agricultural and forest soils in dry and semiarid environments (Caravaca, Figueroa, Alguacil, & Roldán, 2003;Querejeta, Roldán, Albaladejo, & Castillo, 2000) that can last up to 10 years after the application (Pascual, Garcia, Hernandez, Moreno, & Ros, 2000). In general, they enhance growth of planted seedlings (McNab & Berry, 1985;Roldán, Querejeta, Albaladejo, & Castillo, 1996;Garcia-Franco, Wiesmeier, Goberna, Martínez-Mena, & Albaladejo, 2014), but it rarely enhances the survival of planted seedlings or it even reduces their successful establishment (Hueso-González, Martínez-Murillo, & Ruiz-Sinoga, 2016;Jiménez et al, 2007;Larchevêque, Montès, Baldy, & Ballini, 2008;Piñeiro, Maestre, Bartolomé, & Valdecantos, 2013). In dryland ecosystems, biosolids might intensify specific stress factors such as intense droughts that, together with increases in soil electrical conductivity and root competition, negatively affect water availability to the planted seedlings (Fuentes, Valdecantos, Llovet, Cortina, & Vallejo, 2010).…”

Ramial wood amendments (Piliostigma reticulatum) mitigate degradation of tropical soils but do not replenish nutrient exports

“…Woody perennial species such as shrubs and trees are often present in these landscapes, providing numerous ecosystem services to farming families (Bayala, Sanou, Teklehaimanot, Kalinganire, & Ouédraogo, 2014;Sinare & Gordon, 2015;Sop, Oldeland, Bognounou, Schmiedel, & Thiombiano, 2012). In dryland agroecosystems, trees, and especially shrubs, may supply renewable quantities of branches and leaves useable to amend degraded soils (Breton, Crosaz, & Rey, 2016;Hueso-González, Martínez-Murillo, & Ruiz-Sinoga, 2016;Lahmar & Yacouba, 2012). Several studies on the use of such soil amendments, known as ramial chipped wood (in French, bois raméal fragmenté), were conducted in temperate regions, and they showed potential to restore soil functions, particularly of soil fungi and microbial communities (Barthès, Manlay, & Porte, 2010;Breton, Crosaz, & Rey, 2016;Breton, Rey, & Crosaz, 2015).…”

Organic amendments and mulches modify soil porosity and infiltration in semiarid mine soils

“…Other management practices besides organic amendments, for example, mulching, can reduce runoff and soil erosion by intercepting raindrops and increasing infiltration (Hueso-González, Martínez-Murillo, & Ruiz-Sinoga, 2016;Jordán, Zavala, & Gil, 2010;Reichert, Rodrigues, Moisés, Bervald, & Kato, 2016;Wang et al, 2014). Yin et al (2016) reported that mulches conserve soil moisture and reduce water evaporation from the soil surface in arid environments.…”