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Ash Treatment Promotes the Revegetation of Abandoned Extracted Peatlands

Author

Listed:
  • Katri Ots

    (Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51006 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Tea Tullus

    (Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51006 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Mari Sild

    (Tallinn Botanic Garden, Kloostrimetsa tee 52, 11913 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Arvo Tullus

    (Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Reimo Lutter

    (Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51006 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Marju Kaivapalu

    (Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51006 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Reeno Sopp

    (Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51006 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Kristjan Täll

    (Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51006 Tartu, Estonia)

  • Hardi Tullus

    (Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51006 Tartu, Estonia)

Abstract

Treating peat with nutrient-rich ash significantly increases the content of different nutrients in the substrate. Such ash treatment promotes the revegetation of abandoned extracted peatlands. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of wood ash (WA15 = 15 t ha −1 and WA10 = 10 t ha −1 ), oil shale ash (OSA8 = 8 t ha −1 ), and a mixture of wood ash and oil shale ash (WA10 + OSA8) on the revegetation (vascular plants and bryophytes) of the Puhatu abandoned extracted peatland in NE Estonia. The following results were obtained: (1) The MRPP tests indicate that there are compositional differences between the treatments. (2) Altogether, 23 vascular plant and 3 bryophyte species were recorded in the treatment areas. (3) Nine years after these ash treatments, the highest mean vascular plant species richness was recorded for WA15 (3.8 ± 0.3) and the lowest for OSA8 (2.0 ± 0.3). (4) A greater number of vascular plant species was observed in the WA15 area. (5) Mixed ash and wood ash had a significant effect on the amount of biomass in vascular plants. Treating with either wood ash or a mixture of ash ensured the rapid formation of vascular plants and bryophyte layers, contributing to the restoration of the abandoned peatland ecosystem.

Suggested Citation

  • Katri Ots & Tea Tullus & Mari Sild & Arvo Tullus & Reimo Lutter & Marju Kaivapalu & Reeno Sopp & Kristjan Täll & Hardi Tullus, 2024. "Ash Treatment Promotes the Revegetation of Abandoned Extracted Peatlands," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:10:p:1623-:d:1492975
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