Composted soil conditioner and mulch promote native plant establishment from seed in a constructed seasonal wetland complex

Three thicknesses of composted soil conditioner, and one combined with mulch, surface‐applied and then incorporated into the sandy topsoil, were tested against controls for promotion of native plant establishment by direct seeding in construction of a seasonal wetland complex. Located 50 km south of Perth, Western Australia in a Mediterranean climate, the site typically dries out in summer. In wetter seasons ponds intercept contaminants in freeway runoff and act as a buffer for peak flows. The 20 mm thickness of soil conditioner was the most effective. The 40 mm thick 40:60 blend of soil conditioner and mulch was also effective – the mulch can help reduce soil erosion. Composted soil conditioner, typically produced by recycling accumulated municipal waste, counteracts soil organic matter and nutrient depletion.     

Seed bed treatment effects on vegetation and seedling establishment in a New Zealand pasture one year after seeding with native woody species

Summary Efforts to re‐establish indigenous forests in pastoral New Zealand have increased as the value of native biodiversity has been realized. Direct seeding of woody species is preferable to transplanting, as labour and material costs are less. However, the success rate of direct seeding in pasture has been variable due to intense competition from adventive species. We initiated an experiment in pasture plots adjacent to a forest fragment where seed bed treatments (increasing in degree of disturbance from herbicide application to turf removal and topsoil removal) in combination with mulch treatments (wood chip shavings with and without forest floor organic material) were seeded with a mixture of New Zealand lowland forest species. The objective of the study was to determine if early successional plant communities, and ultimately seedling establishment, differed as a result of seed bed preparation after 1 year. Coprosma robusta (Karamu) and Kunzea ericoides (Kanuka) seedlings established on plots in significant numbers: both species were most abundant on topsoil‐removed plots where bare substrate was greatest and plant cover least. Both seed bed treatments and mulching treatments led to measurable differences in overall composition of early successional plant communities. However, absence of plant cover and low soil fertility (both associated with the topsoil‐removed treatment) were the most important factors in seedling success.     

A Germination and Establishment Field Trial of Themeda australis (Kangaroo Grass) for Mine Site Restoration in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales

The current study demonstrated that Themeda australis (R. Br.) Stapf (kangaroo grass), a major understory component of the original grassy Box woodlands in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, was suitable for use in large‐scale mine rehabilitation. The results of the trial were applied in the mine rehabilitation program. Due to extensive clearing of the woodlands and the introduction of exotic flora and fauna for agriculture, only small remnants of the original flora remain. The final land use of the gold mine is a conservation area free from agricultural pressure. Local native species adapted to the soil conditions and variable climate are highly desirable for the control of soil erosion following mining. Germination and establishment of T. australis on oxidized overburden were examined over 53 weeks. Seed‐bearing mulch was used as both the seeding material and an organic additive to the overburden. The effects of five factors were investigated: time since soil preparation, position within small contour banks, location of contour on experimental slopes, additional water, and rate of seed/mulch application. Direct seeding using the lowest rate of mulch application resulted in the establishment of more T. australis seedlings on new contours than on 15‐month‐old contours. The provision of additional water increased germination and establishment in both old and new contours, but was not essential. Seedling densities were greatest in the middle positions of contour banks up to week seven, but were destroyed during a heavy storm. At the close of the experiment, seedling densities were greater in the top and bottom positions of contours. Although significant slope × rate and age × slope interactions occurred, SNK tests did not reveal any consistent interpretable results.     

轮作及绿肥不同利用方式对作物产量和土壤肥力的影响

通过4年田间定位试验比较了3种轮作及相应绿肥不同利用方式对作物产量和土壤性质的影响.轮作方式包括夏休闲-冬小麦（对照）、豆类绿肥-冬小麦和豆类绿肥-春玉米-冬小麦.豆类绿肥-冬小麦包括3种绿肥利用方式：提前覆盖、提前翻压和播前翻压;豆类绿肥-春玉米-冬小麦也包括3种绿肥利用方式：豆类茎秆覆盖、茎秆翻压和茎秆移出田间.结果表明：对于豆类绿肥-冬小麦轮作,绿肥消耗了更多小麦播前土壤水,使小麦产量不稳定;麦收后0～200 cm土层硝态氮储量显著高于另外两种轮作,有更高的淋失风险;该轮作方式下提前覆盖处理0～20 cm土层土壤有机碳(SOC)含量和有机碳储量(SSOC)最高.对于豆类绿肥-春玉米-冬小麦轮作,小麦播前土壤储水量显著高于豆类绿肥-冬小麦,小麦产量更稳定;麦收后0～200 cm土层硝态氮储量显著低于豆类绿肥-冬小麦轮作,淋失风险较低;该轮作方式下茎杆覆盖处理0～20 cm土层土壤SOC含量显著高于茎杆移出处理,且SSOC相对于试验初始也有所增加.可见,豆类绿肥-春玉米-冬小麦轮作体系中豆类收获籽粒后茎杆地表覆盖方式,在提高小麦播前土壤储水量、稳定产量、培肥土壤和降低0～200 cm土层土壤硝态氮残留量上表现较好,是具有类似气候地区的合理种植制度.
     

Seedling Establishment and Survival on Restored Campsites in Subalpine Forest

This study experimented with common restoration techniques (scarification, soil amendments, mulch, and seeding) on six closed wilderness campsites in subalpine forests in Oregon. Effectiveness in encouraging seedling establishment, growth, and survival was assessed every year for the first 7 years following treatment. Closure and restoration of the campsites increased the density of plants established from seed. Despite an original density of virtually zero, mean density of perennial plants was 55 plants/m² 7 years after closure. All the treatments, with the exception of the biodegradable mulch mat, increased plant density. Seven years after treatment, seeding had increased plant density 5‐fold, whereas scarification and soil amendments (organic matter, compost, and soil inoculum) had each increased density 3‐fold. The organic and compost amendments also had the positive benefit of increasing growth rates and shortening the time‐to‐reproductive maturity. Results suggest that restoration of the herbaceous cover on these campsites can occur rapidly using the techniques employed. All but one of the species we seeded established in substantial quantities and survived at densities exceeding their density in the naturally sparse herbaceous cover on these sites. Thirty‐six perennial species volunteered on these sites. The remaining challenge is reestablishment of the shrub species that comprise much of the ground cover in these forests. These species seldom establish from seed.     

有机地表覆盖物在城市林业建设中的应用价值

综述了国外有机地表覆盖物兴起与发展的过程,重点分析了有机地表覆盖物的重要应用价值(如改善土壤理化性状、促进树木生长、美化城市景观、抑制土壤扬尘及其环保和经济价值,同时对有机地表覆盖物使用中的问题进行了分析,指出了我国城市林业建设中有机地表覆盖物生产与应用的现实紧迫性和广阔发展空间.     

Efficacy of organic wastes amendment on the establishment and biomass yield of grass species on a degraded Alfisol

Abstract

Deficiencies of organic matter and essential nutrients are important features of derelict/degraded lands; these characteristics have profound effects on the establishment of functional soil-plant systems on such lands. This work reports on the impact of organic wastes amendments on the establishment, growth and biomass yield of grass mixtures grown on a degraded soil. The experimental site was a heavily compacted and eroded land due to excavation (scrapping) of topsoil layer for urban construction activities. Zero, 10 and 20cm layers each of substrates collected from an old (abandoned) municipal refuse and from site affected by long-term surface disposal of livestock litter and topsoil collected under fallow vegetation were applied on soil surface, before the establishment of a mixture of grass species. Substrates collected from old municipal refuse contained high amount of essential nutrients and metals and, on application, produced upward shift in soil pH and electrical conductivity. Nevertheless, these properties neither significantly retarded plant growth nor impaired biomass yield. Plant establishment and biomass yield were comparable under topsoil application and organic waste amended soil and produced significantly higher biomass yield when spread at 20cm layers were made of them. This experimental group also produced superior biomass yield over the unamended control. The agronomic benefits of organic waste incorporation stemmed from improved soil properties in surface horizon and contents of essential nutrients supportive of the establishment and development of plant cover. Nutrient supply is related to soil organic matter status, organic wastes are therefore important to the reconstruction of effective nutrient cycling and the eventual functional soil-plant system on this degraded ecosystem. The goal of these revegetation efforts is to improve soil and plant productivity, plant diversity, conservation of native grasslands and aesthetic.     

Soil carbon storage potential of direct seeding mulch-based cropping systems in the Cerrados of Brazil

No‐tillage cropping systems with direct seeding into a mulch of plant residues from cover crops – the so‐called direct seeding mulch‐based cropping (DMC) systems – have been adopted widely over the last 10–15 years in the Cerrado region of Brazil. They are replacing the traditional soybean monoculture with bare fallow using conventional tillage (CT) practices. The objective of this study was to examine how DMC practices affect soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and to assess their potential for enhanced soil carbon (C) storage. The approach was to determine soil C stocks along a chronosequence of fields under DMC, and then to apply the generic decomposition and yield (G'DAY) plant–soil model to analyse the soil C storage potential for a number of cropping systems. Forty‐five fields were selected on a plateau of Ferralsols in the central Cerrado region to represent a chronosequence of 0–12 years under continuous DMC. Before DMC the fields had been under CT soybean monoculture following the clearing of the native savannah. An average increase in SOC stocks of 0.83 Mg C ha^?1 yr^?1 in the 0–20 cm topsoil was measured. The corresponding increase in total soil nitrogen was 79 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1. The G'DAY model predicted a net accumulation of 0.70–1.15 Mg C ha^?1 yr^?1 in the 0–40 cm topsoil for the first 12 years, depending on the type of soil and DMC system. Model predictions showed that less soil C was accumulated under DMC systems that commenced immediately after clearing the native savannah. Gains in soil C under DMC were primarily due to the introduction of a second crop that caused higher net primary productivity, leading to higher plant C inputs to soil. A rough estimation shows that the conversion of 6 million ha of CT soybean monoculture to DMC in the Cerrados would enhance soil C storage by 4.9 Tg C yr^?1 during at least the first 12 years following the conversion to DMC.     

Recovery after African Olive invasion: can a ‘bottom‐up’ approach to ecological restoration work?

African Olive (Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata) is a densely crowned evergreen small tree, native to eastern Africa that is highly invasive in areas where it has been introduced, including Hawaii and Australia. Invasion by African Olive threatens Cumberland Plain Woodland, a critically endangered grassy eucalypt woodland from western Sydney, Australia, through the formation of a dense mid‐canopy excluding the regeneration of native species. We established a 3‐year field experiment to determine the effectiveness of direct seeding and fire, as techniques for early stage restoration of a 2 ha historically cleared and degraded Cumberland Plain Woodland site after the removal of African Olive. Direct seeding was able to re‐establish a native perennial grass cover which was resistant to subsequent weed invasion and could be managed as an important first stage in woodland restoration with fire and selective herbicide. Fire was able to stimulate some germination of colonising native species from the soil seed bank after 15 years of African Olive invasion; however, germination and establishment of native shrubs from the applied seed mix was poor. We propose a ‘bottom‐up’ model of ecological restoration in such highly degraded sites that uses a combination of direct seeding and stimulation of the soil seed bank by fire, which could be applicable to other degraded grassy woodland sites and plant communities.     

The Contrasting Effects of Aspen and Jack Pine on Soil Nutritional Properties Depend on Parent Material

Abstract The influence of forest stand composition on soil was investigated by comparing the forest floor (FH) and upper mineral soil (0–20 cm) nutritional properties of jack pine and aspen stands on two soil types of contrasting fertility, a coarse-textured and a fine-textured deposit, in a replicated design. The studied tree species are pioneers that are found after major disturbances in the southern boreal forest of western Quebec and that differ in their nutrient requirements but not in their growth rate. Soil organic matter as well as total and available N, P, K, Ca, Mg contents were determined and the relationships with nutrient accumulation in tree biomass were studied. On both soil types a greater total and available nutrient accumulation in the forest floor layer was observed in aspen than in jack pine whereas such differences between stand types could not be detected in the mineral soil. Differences in FH nutrient content between stand types were larger on coarse deposits than on fine-textured soils. These results support the hypothesis that tree species with greater nutrient requirements cause an enrichment of the surface soil at least in the short term. The modulation of tree species effect by soil type was contrary to the pattern observed in other studies since a greater expression of this effect was observed on poorer soils. Differences in soil nutrient content were related to levels of organic matter accumulation.     

Natural regeneration of Pinus resinosa on burned and unburned sites in Newfoundland

Abstract. Natural regeneration of Pinus resinosa (red pine) seedlings around mature trees was studied in burned and unburned stands. Growth inhibitory effects of the forest organic matter on red pine seedlings was tested by a stair-step experiment using leachate of forest soil monoliths and also by a seed germination bio-assay using forest floor substrates. To test if higher burning temperatures can remove the allelopathic effects of red pine-Kalmia organic matter, a laboratory bio-assay was conducted by germinating red pine seeds on the organic matter burned at 200, 400, 600 and 800°C. Deposition of dry needles and a thick duff layer under red pine stands affected seedling establishment. Red pine seedling establishment increased with the decreasing thickness of duff layer away from the stump of the seed-bearing trees. Wildfire helped in removing the duff layer and increased seedling establishment. A high fuel load within a 0 - 1 m radius around the tree stump caused a deep burn of the organic matter including part of the soil seed reserve. On a burned-over surface, more seedlings established in a band between 1 and 2 m around the stump than inside and outside the band. Primary root growth of red pine was severely inhibited when the seedlings were grown in unburned forest floor organic matter where Kalmia was the principal understory species. Water leachate of a Pinus resinosa-Kalmia soil monolith was inhibitory to red pine seedling growth. In greenhouse conditions, the seedlings grew well in burned-over soil from a Pinus resinosa stand. Burned organic matter from a red pine forest showed an increase in pH with a burning temperature of 600°C. Primary root growth of red pine seedlings was similarly increased with increasing temperature up to 600°C; at higher temperatures the root length of seedlings did not increase any further.     

Slash Pile Burning Effects on Soil Biotic and Chemical Properties and Plant Establishment: Recommendations for Amelioration

Ponderosa pine forest restoration consists of thinning trees and reintroducing prescribed fire to reduce unnaturally high tree densities and fuel loads to restore ecosystem structure and function. A current issue in ponderosa pine restoration is what to do with the large quantity of slash that is created from thinning dense forest stands. Slash piling burning is currently the preferred method of slash removal because it allows land managers to burn large quantities of slash in a more controlled environment in comparison with broadcast burning slash. However burning slash piles is known to have adverse effects such as soil sterilization and exotic species establishment. This study investigated the effects of slash pile burning on soil biotic and chemical variables and early herbaceous succession on burned slash pile areas. Slash piles were created following tree thinning in two adjacent approximately 20‐ha ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) restoration treatments in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona. We selected 30 burned slash pile areas and sampled across a gradient of the burned piles for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) propagule densities, the soil seed bank, and soil chemical properties. In addition, we established five 1‐m² plots in each burned pile to quantify the effect of living soil (AM inoculum) and seeding amendments on early herbaceous succession in burned slash pile areas. The five treatments consisted of a control (no treatment), living soil (AM inoculum) amendment, sterilized soil (no AM inoculum) amendment, seed amendment, and a seed/soil (AM inoculum) amendment. Slash pile burning nearly eliminated populations of viable seeds and AM propagules and altered soil chemical properties. Amending scars with native seeds increased the cover of native forbs and grasses. Furthermore adding both seed and living soil more than doubled total native plant cover and decreased ruderal and exotic plant cover. These results indicate that seed/soil amendments that increase native forbs and grasses may enhance the rate of succession in burned slash pile areas by allowing these species to outcompete exotic and ruderal species also establishing at the site through natural regeneration.     

秸秆施用及蚯蚓活动对土壤活性有机碳的影响

在连续6年稻麦轮作的小区试验中,研究了施用秸秆(表施或混施)和接种蚯蚓对农田土壤有机碳(SOC)和不同活性有机碳的影响.结果表明：施用秸秆6年后,土壤有机碳含量显著增加,且表施秸秆比混施秸秆更有利于土壤有机碳含量增加,在不同的秸秆施用条件下,接种蚯蚓未对土壤有机碳含量产生显著影响.表施秸秆和混施秸秆均能使土壤活性有机碳含量增加或显著增加,混施秸秆较表施秸秆更有利于热水提取态碳(HWEC)、可矿化碳(PMC)、酸提取态碳(AEC)、易氧化态碳(ROC)、颗粒有机碳(POC)和轻组有机碳(LFOC)含量增加,而可溶性有机碳(DOC)和微生物生物量碳(MBC)的变化与秸秆施用方式关系不大.在施用秸秆条件下,接种蚯蚓使不同活性有机碳的响应各异,不同处理中的土壤有机碳活性表现为秸秆混施+蚯蚓>秸秆混施>秸秆表施>秸秆表施+蚯蚓>对照.秸秆的施用方式是影响土壤有机碳与活性有机碳的主要因素,而蚯蚓活动则并非对所有的土壤活性有机碳有显著影响.     

长期施肥条件下黑土有机碳、氮组分的分配与富集特征

研究不同管理措施下黑土有机碳、氮组分的变化特征是深刻认识和理解黑土固碳的基础.本文以黑龙江省农业科学院31年的长期定位试验为基础,采用物理分组法对土壤不同粒径颗粒进行分离,分析6种不同施肥处理31年后,黑土表层(0～20 cm)及亚表层(20～40 cm)土壤有机碳、氮在粗砂粒、细砂粒、粉粒及黏粒中的分配与富集特征.结果表明： 长期施用有机肥可显著提高土壤有机碳、全氮在粗砂粒和黏粒中的分配比例.在表层土壤,有机无机配施（NPKM）处理下粗砂粒有机碳和全氮的分配比例比对照分别提高191.3%和179.3%,单施有机肥（M）处理下黏粒组分的有机碳和全氮的分配比例分别提高45%和47%.亚表层土壤施用有机肥处理各粒级有机碳、氮含量的提高比例低于表层土壤.在表层和亚表层的粉粒组分中,贮存的有机碳占总储量的42%～63%和48%～54%,全氮占总储量的34%～59%和41%～47%.表层土壤施用有机肥可显著增加粗砂粒中有机碳、氮的富集系数,其中有机肥配施化肥（NPKM）处理富集系数最高（2.30和1.88）,而黏粒组分的有机碳、氮富集系数对长期施肥无响应.
     

科尔沁沙地流动沙丘造林后表层土壤有机碳和轻组有机碳的变化

以流动沙丘为对照,研究了科尔沁沙地25年生和35年生樟子松人工固沙林表层土壤(0～15cm)有机碳(SOC)和土壤轻组有机碳(LFOC)的变化.结果表明:流动沙丘造林后,粗沙含量明显降低,土壤极细沙和粘粉粒含量显著增加;SOC和LFOC含量均显著增加,但随土层加深趋于减少;流动沙丘造林显著增加了表层土壤的SOC和LFOC储量,且林龄越长,SOC和LFOC储量越高.人工林地0～15cm层LFOC储量的增幅远高于SOC储量,说明流动沙丘造林对表层土壤LFOC的影响大于SOC.     

降水变率对森林土壤有机碳组分与分布格局的影响

2006年12月-2008年6月,通过加倍降水、自然降水和去除降水3种处理的人工控制试验,研究了降水变率改变对南亚热带不同演替阶段的季风常绿阔叶林、针阔叶混交林和马尾松针叶林土壤有机碳组分与空间分布格局的影响.结果表明：在3种降水强度条件下,相同森林类型的同一层次土壤总有机碳（TOC）含量差异不显著（P>0.05）;去除降水处理下土壤表层（0～10 cm）颗粒有机碳（POC）和轻组有机碳(LFOC)含量有明显的积累趋势,加倍降水和自然降水处理下增加了POC、LFOC向下层土壤（10～20 cm、20～30 cm、30～50 cm）的运输;去除降水处理下,马尾松林土壤易氧化有机碳（ROC）含量显著高于降水处理（P<0.05）;演替早期森林土壤的POC、ROC、LFOC占总有机碳的比例大于演替后期土壤,不利于土壤有机碳的存埋.森林土壤总有机碳含量变化缓慢,而其活性有机碳组分（POC、LFOC、ROC）对降水变率改变的响应更敏感.     

Halophyte and glycophyte salt tolerance at germination and the establishment of halophyte shrubs in saline environments

Saline sites suffer variations in surface salinity, available soil water, temperature, soil crust strength and other factors which can influence germination and establishment. For establishment to occur the germinating seed must capitalise on a window of opportunity. This window can be widened by placing seeds in a low-salt niche, covering the seeds with a mulch (such as vermiculite), spraying the seed and mulch placement with a coating which may stabilise the favourable situation and raise soil temperature. In this paper it is shown that using seeds collected from plants of Atriplex amnicola which produce many volunteer seedlings in their vicinity can assist establishment from direct seeding. These seeds had the ability to germinate under saltier and cooler conditions than seeds from A. amnicola bushes which did not produce volunteers. Seeds of a halophyte (Atriplex lentiformis) and a non-halophyte (Medicago sativa) are able to imbibe water from a saline substrate in a similar manner. The water enables the seeds of both species to mobilise stored growth materials and produce and elongate radicles. When the seedlings try to erect a hypocotyl and spread their cotyledons, the non-halophyte, in a saline medium, becomes flaccid, distorted and dies. The halophyte seedling shows evidence of high salt tolerance in the form of succulence of cotyledons and trichomes on true leaves even before they are visible and goes on to successfully develop a functioning plant. Nevertheless, germination of halophyte seeds is inhibited or severely reduced at salinity levels above 250 mM NaCl and slowed and reduced progressively up to those levels.     

Abiotic and biotic responses to woody debris additions in restored old fields in a multi‐site Before‐After‐Control‐Impact experiment

Ecological restoration of former agricultural land can improve soil conditions, recover native vegetation, and provide fauna habitat. However, restoration benefits are often associated with time lags, as many attributes, such as leaf litter and coarse woody debris, need time to accumulate. Here, we experimentally tested whether adding mulch and logs to restoration sites in semi‐arid Western Australia can accelerate restoration benefits. All sites had been cropped and then planted with native trees and shrubs (i.e., Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, and Acacia spp.) 10 years prior to our experiment, to re‐establish the original temperate eucalypt woodland vegetation community. We used a Multi‐site Before‐After‐Control‐Impact (MBACI) design to test the effects on 30 abiotic and biotic response variables over a period of 2 years. Of the 30 response variables, a significant effect was found for just four variables: volumetric water content, decomposition, native herbaceous species cover and species richness of disturbance specialist ants. Mulch addition had a positive effect on soil moisture when compared to controls but suppressed growth of native (but not exotic) herbaceous plants. On plots with log additions, decomposition rates decreased, and species richness of disturbance specialist ants increased. However, we found no effect on total species richness and abundance of other ant species groups. The benefit of mulch to soil moisture was offset by its disbenefit to native herbs in our study. Given time, logs may also provide habitat for ant species that prefer concealed habitats. Indeed, benefits to other soil biophysical properties, vegetation, and ant fauna may require longer time frames to be detected. Further research is needed to determine whether the type, quantity, and context of mulch and log additions may improve their utility for old field restoration and whether effects on native herbs are correlated with idiosyncratic climatic conditions.     

Restoring the Pygmy Pine Forests of New Jersey's Pine Barrens

The Pinelands National Reserve and UNESCO Biosphere encompass a large portion of southern New Jersey's Pine Barrens. Within the core preservation zone of these Reserves lies the Warren Grove Weapons Range, a military installation where exercises during the past 50 years have devastated portions of the indigenous pygmy pine-oak forest. In 1987, restoration efforts were initiated to identify materials and techniques that promote a diverse and productive native plant community atop drastically disturbed portions of the range. We used trial plantings to examine fertilizer and sewage compost fertility amendments, the effect of different native plant mixtures (including the dwarfed race of pitch pine, Pinus rigida), the influence of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius on the growth of pines and associated species, and mulch applications to conserve moisture and add organic matter. Following two growing seasons, test plantings exhibited 25% of the vegetation production found in the surrounding pine-oak community, 50% canopy closure, and levels of diversity comparable to the reference site. Maximum biomass and cover were achieved following the application of 16 Mg/ha compost and the establishment of pitch pine seedlings. Pitch pine was the dominant species in all plots where it was planted, with herbaceous species comprising the balance of the developing vegetation. Amendments of seeded grasses, P. tinctorius, and mulch influenced species composition but failed to enhance total plant production. We recommend restoring drastically disturbed sites in the pine plains with cultural input of compost to the spoils and planting of pitch pines and other woody species to accelerate the structural blending of reforested sites with the surrounding native vegetation.     

Testing standard growth substrates for establishing native dry sandy grassland species on extensive green roofs in Northern Germany

Green roofs are known to mitigate the negative effects of urban consolidation by offering diverse ecosystem functions compared to non-vegetated roofs. However, the support for native biodiversity might be improved by using native plant species. In a mesocosm experiment, we studied the suitability of three commercial green-roof growth substrates for the establishment of 27 native plant species from dry sandy grasslands of northwestern Germany over the course of four years. The substrates were mineral-based, but differed in the layering of organic matter. Total establishment rates reached 44–59% in Year 4, indicating the general suitability of the substrates. During the first weeks after seeding, with light irrigation, the vascular plant cover was greater in the similar substrates Zincolit® Plus (Z) and Zincolit® Plus-Leicht (ZL) with their compost-based organic mulch layers than in the substrate Sedumteppich (ST) with its organic matter evenly admixed with the mineral aggregates. In Years 2 and 3, however, the vascular plant cover was greater in the ST substrate, likely due to the better availability of water and nutrients from the organic matter compared to the dry surface-mulch layer variants Z and ZL. After severe drought events, the decline in plant cover was more pronounced in the ST substrate, likely representing a trade-off between lush growth and a susceptibility to drought. An indicator-species analysis revealed differences in species composition between the ST and Z/ZL substrates. Annual plant species were indicators of the ST substrate. Perennials, such as Thymus pulegioides and Achillea millefolium, were typical of the Z and ZL substrates. In addition to the general suitability of the tested standard substrates for target species establishment, the study indicated that a combination of different layers of substrate components resulted in different vegetation patterns that may have a positive effect on green-roof biodiversity.