Restoration through trenches does not demand organic fertilization and sawdust coverage on plant establishment

• Published in: Plant ecology 2024-08, Vol.225 (8), p.791-802
• Main Authors: Ribeiro, Sabrina Santos, Martins, Walmer Bruno Rocha, Rodrigues, Julia Isabella de Matos, de Oliveira, Victor Pereira, da Cruz, Denis Conrado, Silva, Arystides Resende, Ferreira, Gracialda Costa, de Souza Barbosa, Rodrigo, Lopes, José do Carmo Alves, Rego, Anna Kayne Costa, Schwartz, Gustavo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied Ecology; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cattle manure; Community & Population Ecology; Ecology; Environmental restoration; Fertilization; Height; Kaolin; Life Sciences; Litter; Litter size; Mortality; Open pit mining; Organic fertilizers; Organic soils; Plant Ecology; Plant growth; Plant species; Regeneration; Restoration; Root development; Sawdust; Soil testing; Terrestial Ecology; Topsoil; Trenches
• ISSN: 1385-0237; 1573-5052
• DOI: 10.1007/s11258-024-01434-5

Forest restoration in post-open pit mining areas is complex and faces the challenge of “recreating” the soil under horizontal disruption, representing strong barriers to root growth. Hence, trenches (paths opened by digging) for planting are an alternative to improve root development conditions and plant growth. This study aimed to evaluate growth of six tree species planted in trenches under three treatments: Topsoil or control (CT), Sawdust (SD), and Cow manure (CM). The trenches (1 m in height and length by 40 m long) were filled with topsoil. In the 6-m space between trenches, two treatments were performed: soil covered and not covered by sawdust to test natural regeneration. Six tree species (250 individuals) in pits over trenches where mortality, mean annual increment in height (MAI Ht, ), diameter (MAI DSH ), and crown area (MAI CA ) were assessed. Natural regeneration and litter stock were also evaluated. After 18 months, mortality was zero, except Byrsonima spicata with less than 5% in CT, SD, and CM. Clitoria fairchildiana , Tachigali vulgaris , and Croton matourensis showed highest MAI Ht and MAI DSH , and C. fairchildiana presented the highest MAI CA with no statistical differences among treatments. Sawdust coverage had no effects on litter amounts and on tree species from the natural regeneration. Herbs and grasses covered 45.5% and 57.2% of the soil with and without sawdust. Based on growth and mortality, C. fairchildiana , T. vulgaris , and C. matarensis can be recommended for initial restoration after kaolin mining.