Long‐Term Effects of Biosolids on Revegetation of Disturbed Sagebrush Steppe in Northwestern Colorado

Paschke, Mark W.; Topper, K.; Brobst, Robert B.; Redente, Edward F.

doi:10.1111/j.1526-100x.2005.00068.x

Cited by 25 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…An increase in exotic invasive species due to biosolids application observed at all sites together with a decrease (Merritt) and lack of response (Ashcroft) of bluebunch wheatgrass is clearly not a desirable outcome of grassland restoration of drier sites. Similar negative results of annual early‐seral species increasing at the expense of the desirable perennial grass species in response to the annual additions of N and P fertilizer to disturbed sites have been reported (Carpenter et al, 1990; McLendon and Redente, 1991; Pierce et al, 1998). However, the overall positive changes in the plant community at Jesmond indicate positive grassland restoration of a wetter site.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…Germinants and seedlings of all species are likely to be affected by this mechanism. Indirect impacts, such as the change in nutrient availability, have been well described (Carpenter et al, 1990; McLendon and Redente, 1991; Pierce et al, 1998). Biosolids can also affect plant growth indirectly by acting as mulch, thereby ameliorating soil surface temperatures and conserving soil moisture (Rostagno and Sosebee, 2001b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Restoration of degraded semiarid grassland sites is needed to improve forage production, to reduce soil erosion, and to increase the potential for soil C sequestration (Brown et al, 2008;Larney and Angers, 2012). Organic amendments, such as biosolids that contain appreciable amounts of nutrients and organic matter, have been reported to have beneficial effects during the restoration of semiarid grasslands (Rostagno and Sosebee, 2001a;Paschke et al, 2005). Biosolids are the residual solids of municipal wastewater treatment that meet regulatory requirements for land application.…”

Section: Differing Effects Of Biosolids On Native Plants In Grasslandmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Differing Effects of Biosolids on Native Plants in Grasslands of Southern British Columbia

2014

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The objective of this study was to determine if application of biosolids is beneficial for restoring semiarid grasslands. The effects of a one-time surface application of biosolids at a rate of 20 Mg ha on individual plant species and plant community composition were examined at three degraded semiarid grassland sites located in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Biosolids application did not result in desirable changes in plant species composition at the two drier sites (with annual precipitation <400 mm) yet led to overall positive plant species changes at the least dry site (with annual precipitation of 400 mm). An important late-seral species of semiarid grasslands, bluebunch wheatgrass [ (Pursh) Á. Löve], did not respond or decreased at the two drier sites but increased at the least dry site. Exotic invasive plant species increased on all sites. The total vegetative cover of native perennial grasses increased from 41 to 99% at the least dry site, with important decreases in low-growing, early-seral forb species. Although cheatgrass ( L.) was not significantly increased by the biosolids treatment, the dominance of cheatgrass and lower growing season precipitation at the two drier sites were likely key reasons for the poor biosolids restoration success at these sites. Despite some concerns, there is potential to use biosolids to restore grassland plant communities successfully within 4 or 5 yr on more mesic grassland sites; however, biosolids use on drier sites where exotic invasives are present cannot be recommended.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Differing Effects Of Biosolids On Native Plants In Grasslandmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Differing Effects of Biosolids on Native Plants in Grasslands of Southern British Columbia

2014

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“…Anaerobic conditions induced by mineralization of large amounts of non-stabilized organic carbon may lead to increased nitrous oxide (a greenhouse gas) production. Raw biosolids can release nitrogen very rapidly giving a burst of fertility that promotes annual weed species, which may dominate the vegetation and reduce biodiversity (Paschke et al 2005).…”

Section: Amendment Choicementioning

confidence: 99%

The role of organic amendments in soil reclamation: A review

2012

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Larney, F. J. and Angers, D. A. 2012. The role of organic amendments in soil reclamation: A review. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 19–38. A basic tenet of sustainable soil management is that current human activities are not detrimental to future generations. Soils are degraded by natural events (erosion) or industrial activity. A prevalent feature of degraded or disturbed soils is lack of organic matter compared with adjacent undisturbed areas. Organic amendments, such as livestock manure, biosolids, pulp and paper mill by-products, wood residuals and crop residues, are produced in abundance in Canada and could be widely used in soil reclamation. Biosolids production is ∼0.5 Tg yr−1(dry wt.); paper mill sludge generated in the province of Quebec was ∼2 Tg (wet wt.) in 2002. This review paper examines mechanisms through which organic amendments affect soil properties (physical, chemical, biological) and describes the role of organic amendments in reclamation, with emphasis on amendment types and application rates for soil amelioration and biomass production. Single large applications of organic amendments can accelerate initial reclamation and lead to self-sustaining net primary productivity. Readily decomposable organic amendments may provide immediate, but transient, effects, whereas stable, less decomposable materials may provide longer-lasting effects. Using organic amendments for reclamation is mutually beneficial wherein waste products from agriculture, forestry and urban areas help other sectors meet their land reclamation goals.

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“…In a simulated erosion study, Larney et al (2000) demonstrated the superior performance of manure compared with inorganic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers for restoring crop productivity on soils that had lost 20 cm of topsoil. A recent study in the Piceance Basin of northwestern Colorado demonstrated the positive and long-term effects of biosolids application on soil fertility and plant community development on a disturbed sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) steppe habitat (Paschke et al 2005). The use of manure and biosolids in reclamation offers an opportunity for increasing the carbon (C) content of soils, hence decreasing the net emission of CO 2 to the atmosphere.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Topsoil replacement depth and organic amendment effects on plant nutrient uptake from reclaimed natural gas wellsites

Zvomuya¹,

Larney²,

Akinremi³

et al. 2006

Can. J. Soil. Sci.

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. Topsoil replacement depth and organic amendment effects on plant nutrient uptake from reclaimed natural gas wellsites. Can. J. Soil Sci. 86: 859-869. Sustained plant nutrient availability on reclaimed wellsites is critical to the successful restoration of crop productivity. This study evaluated topsoil replacement depth (TRD) (0, 50, 100, and 150% of mandatory TRD) and organic amendment [beef cattle feedlot manure, compost derived from straw-bedded cattle feedlot manure, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay, and unamended control] effects on nutrient uptake by a wheat crop at three abandoned gas wellsites in south-central Alberta. Grain N uptake increased by 0.055 kg ha -1 for each percent increase in TRD, reflecting the corresponding linear increase in grain N concentration. Low carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio amendments, particularly compost and alfalfa, were the most effective for improving grain N concentration and uptake. Conversely, N concentration and uptake were lowest for the high C:N (53:1) wheat straw amendment. Reclamation programs should, therefore, consider incorporation of the low C:N alfalfa or compost in order to safeguard against N deficiency in the first 1-2 yr following reclamation. Our results also show that high P amendments, such as manure and compost, are better choices for improving P uptake by spring wheat. These results emphasize the importance of topsoil replacement and amendment quality (C:N ratio and P concentration) in ensuring adequate N and P supply in the 1-2 yr following reclamation. Based on this, compost appears to be the best single amendment for ensuring enhanced uptake of both N and P on reclaimed wellsites in the short term.

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Long‐Term Effects of Biosolids on Revegetation of Disturbed Sagebrush Steppe in Northwestern Colorado

Cited by 25 publications

References 16 publications

Differing Effects of Biosolids on Native Plants in Grasslands of Southern British Columbia

Differing Effects of Biosolids on Native Plants in Grasslands of Southern British Columbia

The role of organic amendments in soil reclamation: A review

Topsoil replacement depth and organic amendment effects on plant nutrient uptake from reclaimed natural gas wellsites

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