Affiliation:
1. Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, 4-42 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada.
2. Syncrude Canada Ltd., Research and Development Centre, 9421-17 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T6N 1H4, Canada.
Abstract
Forested reclamation of oil sand mines in northern Alberta often use peat salvaged from lowland organic soils as a coversoil during soil reconstruction of man-made landforms. Previous studies suggest that planted tree seedlings may be limited in part by low phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) availability in peat. Fertilization is commonly used to treat nutrient limitations on reclamation sites; however, broad spectrum applications can induce strong competition from colonizing vegetation. This study explores the ability of a targeted application of individual macronutrients to (1) reduce nutrient deficiencies in peat coversoils and improve tree growth, while (2) minimizing the colonizing competition. Liquid fertilizer was applied to 6-yr-old aspen, pine, and spruce trees in the field using five nutrient combinations: control (no fertilizer), NPK, PK, P, and K. Tree growth, foliar nutrient concentrations, vegetation cover, and environmental parameters were monitored over two growing seasons. Aspen responded the strongest to fertilization, particularly in the P treatment, whereas pine and spruce marginally responded to NPK. Competing vegetation increased in the NPK but did not respond to the P and K treatments, indicating targeted fertilization can reduce colonizing competition. Additional analyses of the soil conditions of the site suggest that other factors were potentially more limiting to the trees during the study. Targeted fertilization of forest reclamation sites at a later stand age can be an option to improve efficacy and cost savings; however, response will also depend on other site (e.g., soil pH, precipitation, and soil water content) and management (e.g., fertilizer application rate) factors.
Publisher
Canadian Science Publishing
Reference79 articles.
1. PLANT-MEDIATED CONTROLS ON NUTRIENT CYCLING IN TEMPERATE FENS AND BOGS
2. Alberta Environment. 2010. Guidelines for reclamation to forest vegetation in the Athabasca oil sands region, 2nd ed. Prepared by the Terrestrial Subgroup of the Reclamation Working Group of the Cumulative Environmental Management Association, Fort McMurray, AB, Canada. [Dec. 2009].
3. Organic matter accumulation in reclaimed soils under spruce, poplar and grass in the Alberta Oil Sands
4. Ballard, T.M., and Carter, R.E. 1986. Evaluating forest stand nutrient status. Information Services Branch from Ministry of Forests. Victoria, BC, Canada. Land management report, ISSN 0702-9861, No. 20. pp. 55.
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