Tag Archives: wood ash fertilization

741–753 S. Neimane, S. Celma, A. Butlers and D. Lazdiņa
Conversion of an industrial cutaway peatland to a Betulacea family tree species plantation
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Conversion of an industrial cutaway peatland to a Betulacea family tree species plantation

S. Neimane*, S. Celma, A. Butlers and D. Lazdiņa

Latvian State Forest Research institute ‘Silava’, Riga street 111, LV-2169 Salaspils, Latvia
*Correspondence: santa.neimane@silava.lv

Abstract:

To evaluate the potential of establishing a deciduous tree plantation on an industrial cutaway peatland over an 8 ha large experimental site was established in the central part of Latvia and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) and black alder (Alnus glutionsa (L.) Gaertn.) tree species were planted. As it is a harsh and unfavorable environment wood ash, otherwise a waste product, was used as a fertiliser and liming material in three applications (5, 10 and 15 t ha-1). In comparison with control, fertilised soils had higher Ca, Mg, P amounts, whilst the most substantial difference was seen in the amount of K. Application of wood ash also considerably increased soil pH from 3.5 (Control) to 5.9 (15 t ha-1). Even though showing reduced growth in unfertilised soil both alder and birch seedling survival rate was higher than 80%. The highest survival rate for birch was under wood ash treatment, while alder under 10 t ha-1 wood ash fertiliser treatment showed the lowest survival rate i.e. 81%. In total, more than 60 naturally occurring vegetation species were observed in the first and the second year of sites establishment after fertilisation. Species as Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Populus tremula, Pinus sylvestris, Salix spp. often occurred from natural vegetation regeneration. Already after one year of vegetation succession increase in tree and shrub species cover was observed, suggesting perhaps such areas can be naturally afforested thus creating a more heterogeneous forest stand. In such a way sustaining economic use of land resources after peat extraction while providing other ecosystem services.

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