Recultivation of Agricultural Land Impaired by Construction of a Hydropower Plant on the Sava River,Slovenia

Hydropower plants on the lower river Sava, Slovenia, were developed without sealing the underground upstream. As a consequence, without the countermeasures of elevating and recultivating, the agricultural land on the river banks would be inundated because of the water‐table increase of the river. To remedy this, the fields were elevated and recultivated. The goal of this study was to assess soil quality and production potential after land raising and recultivation and to answer the question whether it is possible to recover soil quality and crop yield after large‐scale mass manipulation, such as land raising. After recultivation and after the second year of land reuse for the two cultures grass–clover mixture and corn on two sites, Middle Pijavsko and Lower Pijavsko, soil physical and chemical characteristics and crop yields were evaluated. Mixing of topsoil with the second horizon during removal and during backfill with filling material resulted in uneven soil fertility, plant growth and decreased yield. Driving on the refilled second layer with heavy machinery caused soil compaction in the Middle Pijavsko in spite of favourable soil texture (loam, 38·7% sand). On the areas with very high sand content (over 55%) and low clay content (10%), soil compaction was not as severe or persistent. Recultivation measures restored the agricultural land almost to the production potential prior to powerplant construction. Immediate intensive land use (corn) showed less favourable effect on soil characteristics. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial distribution of earthworms [Lumbricidae] in recultivated soils of the Rhenish lignite‐mining area,Germany

The spatial distribution of earthworms was studied by means of combined formalin expulsion and hand sorting in three arable fields of the Rhenish lignite‐mining area that differed in their recultivation age (6, 12, 24 yr). In addition, pH and the spatial distribution of penetration resistances were measured to see if they are corresponding with the distribution of earthworms. Already the 6 yr old field had a rich population of endogeic, anecic, and epigeic earthworms (119 ind. m^–2, 48 g m^–2, 6 species). This quantity was similar to the 24 yr old site. The 12 yr old field was only sparsely populated by earthworms (5 ind. m^–2, 5 g m^–2, 3 species). In the 6 yr old field, the spatial distribution pattern showed a center of maximal earthworm abundances, corresponding to the distributional pattern of penetration resistances. In the old field (24 yr), the species varied in their spatial distribution, and there was no correspondence with the distribution of penetration resistance. In general, the penetration resistance at the youngest site was clearly lower than at the two older sites. The earthworm population in the 6 yr old field can be explained by cocoons contained in the dumped material. A calculation using literature data on earthworm‐population dynamics shows that a founding population of 400–600 reproductive individuals per hectare and a continuity of favorable growth conditions during the time of soil management is necessary for the development of the situation found at the 6 yr old site in this study.     

基于GEE的陕西关中西部耕地季节性撂荒时空变化特征

【目的】研究陕西关中西部耕地季节性撂荒的时空变化特征,揭示其驱动机制,旨在为有效遏制耕地季节性撂荒,保障国家粮食安全提供参考。【方法】基于谷歌地球引擎（Google Earth Engine,GEE）平台的Landsat和Sentinel-2遥感影像,采用随机森林分类算法,对位于陕西关中西部的宝鸡扶风县、岐山县、凤翔区及陈仓区的部分区域2000-2020年耕地季节性（7-10月）撂荒的时空变化特征进行了分析。【结果】2000-2020年陕西关中西部耕地撂荒可以明显地划分为3个阶段：2000-2002年为快速增加阶段,耕地季节性撂荒呈现快速扩大趋势,撂荒率和撂荒面积分别由9.58%,16 578.83 hm²上升到了的55.85%,96 699.52 hm²;2002-2013年为波动升高阶段,耕地经历了短暂复耕又撂荒的过程,2013年耕地撂荒率和撂荒面积均攀升到了最高点,分别为63.10%,109 256.78 hm²;2013年之后为缓慢复耕阶段,耕地季节性撂荒面积逐年减少,到2020年撂荒率和撂荒面积分别为18.22%,31 554.94 hm²,撂荒面积较2013年减少约70 000 hm²,但撂荒地面积仍高于2000年。从空间分布来看,2000-2020年陕西关中西部耕地季节性撂荒面积的增加呈现由研究区周边向中心靠拢的趋势,撂荒地复耕面积的变化则相反,这与研究区北部是山地、南部是渭河、西部是千河的地貌分布有关,越靠近边缘,交通、灌溉条件越差,越易于更早撂荒。【结论】探明了陕西关中西部耕地季节性撂荒的时空变化特征,其与经济发展、政策制度和自然因素等密切相关。     

Large-scale detection and quantification of harmful soil compaction in a post-mining landscape using multi-configuration electromagnetic induction

Fast and accurate large-scale localization and quantification of harmfully compacted soils in recultivated post-mining landscapes are of particular importance for mining companies and the following farmers. The use of heavy machinery during recultivation imposes soil stress and can cause irreversible subsoil compaction limiting crop growth in the long term. To overcome or guide classical point-scale methods to determine compaction, fast methods covering large areas are required. In our study, a recultivated field of the Garzweiler mine in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with known variability in crop performance was intensively studied using non-invasive electromagnetic induction (EMI) and electrode-based electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). Additionally, soil bulk density, volumetric soil water content and soil textures were analysed along two transects covering different compaction levels. The results showed that the measured EMI apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) along the transects was highly correlated (R² > .7 for different dates and depths below 0.3 m) to subsoil bulk density. Finally, the correlations established along the transects were used to predict harmful subsoil compaction within the field, whereby a spatial probabilistic map of zones of harmful compaction was developed. In general, the results revealed the feasibility of using the EMI derived ECa to predict harmful compaction. They can be the basis for quick monitoring of the recultivation process and implementation of necessary melioration to return a well-structured soil with good water and nutrient accessibility, and rooting depths for increased crop yields to the farmers.     

Growth dynamics and biomass accumulation of 8-year-old hybrid poplar clones in a short-rotation plantation on a clayey-sandy mining substrate with respect to plant nutrition and water budget

In 1995 a short-rotation plantation (2.5 ha) was established in the mining region Welzow-Süd in Brandenburg, Germany, on a clayey-sandy, lignite- and pyrite-free substrate in order to study the biomass potentials of fast-growing tree species (hybrid poplar clones). In this study, special emphasis was placed on yield aspects as well as on the interaction between soil and plants, especially with regard to the plant nutrition and soil–water relationships. So far, the results indicate that the cultivation of hybrid poplar clones in a short-rotation plantation is an adequate tool for establishing alternative land-use systems in the post-mining landscape as a potential source of biomass energy. Aboveground biomass production ranged from 24–49 t dry matter (DM) per hectare at age 8. In particular during this period of investigation, nitrogen nutrition of the clones decreased to below a threshold of 20 mg g^–1 DM in the year 2002. Investigations of the water budget of low- and high-yielding clones indicated that differences in the biomass accumulation seemed to be accompanied by different water-use efficiencies.     

露天矿区充填式复垦实际研究

研究小范围露天矿区复垦过程,对使用充填式复垦产生的土壤贫瘠、土壤侵蚀和土壤压实问题进行分析,并提出了可行性建议,以期为今后土地复垦工作奠定理论基础。     

Effect of Planting Method on the Growth of Alnus glutinosa and Quercus petraea in Compacted Opencast Coal‐Mine Spoils,South Wales

Land degradation on officially ‘reclaimed’ opencast coal‐mine sites is a widespread problem in South Wales. This project explores methods suitable for use by community volunteers seeking to effect local environmental improvement by restoring geoecological self‐sustainability on lands that are commonly affected by extreme auto‐compaction and low soil nutrient status. This paper describes a formally established 7‐year experiment designed to assess the effect of three alternative tree planting strategies used in the forestation of such lands. These are notch planting (e.g. forestry), pit planting (e.g. parks and gardens) and trench planting (e.g. orchard terraces). The study explores tree survival and growth for two species commonly used in land reclamation contexts: alder [Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn] and Welsh or Durmast Oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl]. t‐testing of the results shows that survival and growth rates for both species tend to be significantly better for trench planting than for pit planting than for notch planting. Differences in mortality between pit‐planted and trench‐planted trees become less significant during the experiment while differences in growth increase with time. The conclusion is that providing a loosened, lower density, rooting substrate significantly improves both the growth and the survival rates of trees planted in compacted Welsh surface coal‐mine spoils and that trench planting is more effective than parks and gardens‐style pit planting, which is more effective than forestry‐style notch planting. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improvement of earthworm (Lumbricidae) community and activity in mine soils from open-cast coal mining by the application of different organic waste materials

Earthworms are important members of the decomposer food web in a wide range of sites. Previous field investigations on the development of earthworm populations of mine soils in the Lusatian coal mining region, Germany, have shown quite small population densities in quaternary sands and less or even no earthworms present in sandy soils derived from tertiary deposits. The aim of the present investigation was to improve the development of earthworm populations in mine soils from tertiary deposits by applying various types and amounts of organic waste residues, such as sewage sludge, composted sewage sludge, and green waste derived compost. Additionally, we were interested in the stimulation effect of organic waste materials on parameters of earthworm activity, such as food consumption and burrowing activity. The investigations were carried out in field mesocosms and laboratory experiments (microcosms; observation cages). In general, the population density, fresh biomass, food consumption, and the burrowing activity of earthworms were significantly improved by the application of the various organic waste materials compared with mineral fertilizers. Fresh sewage sludge in addition to composted sewage sludge were found to be the most favourable organic waste residues compared with green waste derived composts. The addition of brown coal sludge to sewage sludge did not reduced the stimulation effect. There was considerable variation in the population structure of a defined earthworm community which was exposed in the mesocosms during a two year period in relation to the types and amounts of the organic waste materials applied.