Bernd Uwe Schneider

Forest ecosystem degradation and rehabilitation

Abstract The degradation of forest ecosystems may be attributed to various natural and anthropogenic factors such as climatical extremes, biotic stresses, selection of tree species, harvesting regimes, litter raking, off-site amelioration measures, former land use, air pollutant deposition and soil acidification, as caused by internal and external processes. An important factor for a loss of tree vitality are nutritional disturbances, eventually leading to declining stand stability and productivity. Therefore, the potential risks of forest fertilization as a major tool for rehabilitation of naturally or anthropogenically degraded ecosystems are discussed. In this respect, both salt-like and lime fertilizers contribute positively to revitalization of nutrient deficient stands. Experience indicates that forest liming may indeed counterbalance the progress of soil acidification as caused by high H deposition. However, specific reactions within the rhizosphere, the enhanced mineralization and loss of organic matter, the mobilization of heavy metals and Ma+ cations and an increased NO3 leaching are possible risks of forest liming. The results from experiments with salt-like fertilizers do not show any negative influence of dissolved aluminium on root vitality but succeeded in revitalization of nutrient deficient stands. In the case of sulfatic fertilizers, both increased sulfate leaching and storage of sulfate in the bulk soil have been reported. Therefore, selection of fertilizer has to be based on a precise characterization of site specific chemical and physical conditions, including relevant stand parameters. Besides fertilization, forest regeneration with site-adapted tree species may greatly contribute to the rehabilitation of forest ecosystems, since the capacity for storage of C and N and hence, for a closer nutrient cycling, may be improved significantly through this approach.

Forests of the temperate region: gaps in knowledge and research needs.

Abstract Gaps in knowledge of current and past forest ecosystem research in the temperate zone of Europe are discussed and research priorities are defined. Since the last Ice Age the forest ecosystems of this region have undergone fundamental changes mainly caused by climatic and anthropogenic influences. Hence, today’s temperate forests hardly represent the natural ecosystem development state. However, the implementation of the sustainability concept as the dominant principle of modern forestry in the early 19th century allowed to predict and maintain forest productivity in the longer run. Despite timber production forest management has to cover public demands such as recreation, groundwater protection, and biodiversity. But it is still unclear whether all these requirements can be fulfilled economically and in agreement with the concept of ecological sustainability. Even though the understanding of forest ecosystems has increased enormously in recent decades, this improved understanding has resulted, somewhat paradoxically, in a demand for further knowledge, both more precise in nature and broader in scope. The ongoing discussion on forest stability is based on the experience that predictions of an enhanced dieback of forests did not come true. On the contrary, the growth of many European forests has been accelerated since several decades, illustrating a fundamental lack in the understanding of the productivity of forest ecosystems. In conclusion, specific gaps of knowledge are identified with regard to (i) the impacts of elevated CO 2 and nitrogen on the stability and resilience of forest ecosystems, (ii) the functioning of old-growth (semi-)natural forests and the development of scientifically based concepts for forest transformation, (iii) the multiple interactions between forest and adjacent management systems, (iv) the afforestation of set-aside and abandoned areas, and (v) the intensification, methodological complementation and diversification of the monitoring of forest sites belonging to the EU ‘level-two-programme’.

Ecosystem Services and Carbon Sequestration in the Biosphere

Foreword K. Topfer 1 Societal Dependence on Soils Ecosystem Services R. Lal, K. Lorenz, R.F. Huttl, B.U. Schneider, and J. von Braun 2 Soils and Ecosystem Services R. Lal 3 Ecosystem Carbon Sequestration K. Lorenz 4 Food Security Through Better Soil Carbon Management K. Goulding, D. Powslon, A. Whitmore, and A. Macdonald 5 Soil Carbon and Water Security K.H. Feger and D. Hawtree 6 Forests, Carbon Pool and Timber Production R. Jandl, S. Schuler, A. Schindlbacher, and C. Tomiczek 7 Ecosystem Carbon and Soil Biodiversity G. De Deyn 8 Ecosystem Services and the Global Carbon Cycle M.R. Raupach 9 Losses of Soil Carbon to the Atmosphere via Inland Surface Waters J.J.C. Dawson 10 Why Pests and Disease Regulation Should Concern Mankind W.A. Oluoch-Kosura A.W. Muriuki, F.M. Olubayo, and D. Kilalo 11 Natural Hazards Mitigation Services of Carbon-Rich Ecosystems R. Cochard 12 Safeguarding Regulating and Cultural Ecosystem Services: Degradation and Conservation Status B. Egoh 13 Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production, Stocks and Flows of Carbon, and Biodiversity H. Haberl, K.-H. Erb, S. Gingrich, T. Kastner, and F. Krausmann 14 Soil Carbon and Biofuels I. Lewandowski 15 Land Degradation and Ecosystem Services Z. Bai, D. Dent, Y. Wu, and R. de Jong 16 The Human Dimensions of Environmental Degradation and Ecosystem Services: Understanding and Solving the Commons Dilemma A. Singh, R. Wilson, J. Bruskotter, J. Brooks, A. Zwickle, and E. Toman 17 Soil Organic Carbon, Soil Formation and Soil Fertility T. Gaiser, K. Stahr 18 Managing Soil Organic Carbon for Advancing Food Security and Strengthening Ecosystem Services in China M. Fan, J. Cao, W. Wei, F. Zhang, and Y. Su 19 Research and Development Priorities for Global Soil-related Policies and Programs R. Lal, K. Lorenz, R.F. Huttl, B.U. Schneider, and J. von Braun Index

Recarbonization of the Biosphere

Foreword (K. Topfer, R. Hill) 1. Terrestrial Biosphere as a Source and Sink of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (R. Lal, K. Lorenz, R. F. J. Huttl, B. U. Schneider, J. von Braun) 2. Climate Change Mitigation by Managing the Terrestrial Biosphere (R. Lal) 3. Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate in the Anthropocene (P. J. Crutzen, K. Lorenz, R. Lal, K. Topfer) 4. Historic Changes in Terrestrial Carbon Storage (R. A. Houghton) 5. Soil Erosion and Soil Organic Carbon Storage on the Chinese Loess Plateau (C. Dahlke, H. R. Bork) 6. Methane Emissions from Chinas Natural Wetlands: Measurements, Temporal Variance and Influencing Factors (X. Wang, F. Lu, L. Yang) 7. Accounting more precisely for peat and other soil carbon resources (Hermann F. Jungkunst, Jan Paul Kruger, Felix Heitkamp, Stefan Erasmi, Stephan Glatzel Sabine Fiedler, and Rattan Lal) 8. Permafrost - Physical Aspects, Carbon Cycling, Databases and Uncertainties (J. Boike, M. Langer, H. Lantuit, S. Muster, T. Sachs, P. Overduin, S. Westermann, D. McGuire) 9. Carbon Sequestration in Temperate Forests (R. Lal, K. Lorenz) 10. Decarbonization of the Atmosphere: Role of the Boreal Forest under Changing Climate (J. S. Bhatti, R. Jassal) 11. Recarbonization of the Humid Tropics (M. Venter, O. Venter, S. Laurance, M. F. Bird) 12. Carbon Cycling in the Amazon (C. C. Cerri, M. Bernoux, B. J. Feigl, C. E. P. Cerri) 13. Grassland Soil Carbon Stocks: Status, Opportunities, Vulnerability (R. T. Conant) 14. Cropland Soil Carbon Dynamics (K. Lorenz, R. Lal) 15. The Carbon Cycle in Drylands (P. Serrano-Ortiz, E. P. Sanchez-Canete, C. Oyonarte) 16. Carbonization of Urban Areas (G. Churkina) 17. Potential Carbon Emission Trajectories of Shanghai, China from 2007 to 2050 (R. Guo, X. Cao, J. Zhang, F. Li, H. Wang) 18. Processes of Soil Carbon Dynamics and Ecosystem Carbon Cycling in a Changing World (F. Heitkamp, A. Jacobs, H. F. Jungkunst, S. Heinze, M. Wendland, Y. Kuzyakov) 19. Terrestrial Carbon Management in Urban Ecosystems and Water (K. Butterbach-Bahl, M. Dannenmann) 20. Carbon Storage and Sequestration in Subsoil Horizons: Knowledge, Gaps and Potentials (C. Rumpel, A. Chabbi, B. Marschner) 21. Transforming Carbon Dioxide from a Liability into an Asset (C. Rubbia) 22. Bioenergy and Biospheric Carbon (T. Beringer, W. Lucht) 23. The Economics of Land and Soil Degradation - Toward an Assessment of the Costs of Inaction (J. v. Braun, N. Gerber) 24. Assessment of Carbon Sequestration Potential in Coastal Wetlands (J. T. Morris, J. Edwards, S. Crooks, E. Reyes) 25. Research and Development Priorities Towards Recarbonization of the Biosphere (R. Lal, K. Lorenz, R. F. J. Huttl, B. U. Schneider, J. von Braun)

Biomass, Carbon and Nitrogen Distribution in Living Woody Plant Parts of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Growing on Reclamation Sites in the Mining Region of Lower Lusatia (Northeast Germany)

In the lignite mining region of Lower Lusatia (NE-Germany), Robinia pseudoacacia L. is an increasingly popular tree for the biomass production with short rotation coppices (SRCs) on reclamation sites. In order to evaluate biomass production, C and N allocation patterns in R. pseudoacacia stands between shoot, stump, coarse, and fine roots samples were collected from seedlings and three adjacent plantations and plants that were one, two and twelve years old. Results indicated that the summarized average dry matter production (DM) of the woody plant parts increased with plant age up to 7.45 t DM ha−1 yr−1 with a corresponding shoot increment of up to 4.77 t DM ha−1 yr−1 in the twelve-year-old stands. The shoot to root ratio changed from 0.2 for the one-year-old trees to 2.0 in the twelve-year-old plantation, whereby an average amount of 3.4 t C ha−1 yr−1 and 0.1 t N ha−1 yr−1 was annually bound in the living woody plant parts over the period of twelve years. Summing up, the results suggest a high potential for C and N storage of R. pseudoacacia what is also beneficial for land reclamation due to positive implications on soil humus and general site fertility.

Key sustainability issues and the spatial classification of sensitive regions in Europe

Cross-cutting environmental, social and economic changes may have harsh impacts on sensitive regions. To address sustainability issues by governmental policy measures properly, the geographical delineation of sensitive regions is essential. With reference to the European impact assessment guidelines from 2005, sensitive regions were identified by using environmental, social and economic data and by applying cluster analysis, United Nation Environmental Policy priorities and expert knowledge. On a regionalised ‘Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics’ (NUTS) level and for pre-defined sensitive region types (post-industrial zones, mountains, coasts and islands) 31 % of the European area was identified as sensitive. However, the delineation mainly referred to social and economic issues since the regional data bases on environmental indicators are limited and do not allow the separation of medium-term vital classes of sensitive regions. Overall, the sensitive regions showed indicator values differing from the EU- 25 average.

Effects of N-enriched rock powder on soil chemistry, organic matter formation and plant nutrition in lignite-poor sandy mine spoil in the forest reclamation practice

The effects of a slow-release N-enriched rock powder on soil chemistry, on the development of the soil vegetation (field layer vegetation), on the nutritional status of pine seedlings (Pinus sylvestris L.), and on decomposition rates of cellulose in lignite-poor mine spoils were studied. In the initial phase after afforestation fertilization caused a significant increase in NO3−-N concentrations in the soil solution of the top-soil (0–60 cm). Subsequently, NO3−-N concentrations of all N fertilized treatments decreased with the exception of the highest N application area (500 kg N ha−1). This decrease of NO3−-N concentrations was related to the establishment of a field layer vegetation, which developed according to the amount of N applied. In the above-ground phytomass of the field layer vegetation a maximum N accumulation amount of 22 kg ha−1 was measured. Cellulose decomposition increased with higher N application rates. In the second year after N-fertilization, the pine needles indicated insufficient supply for almost all nutrients except for N. The deficiency symptoms were most pronounced at the plots that had received the highest amounts of nitrogen. This phenomenon appears to be related to the competition by the field layer vegetation.

Research and Development Priorities Towards Recarbonization of the Biosphere

Despite the importance of the terrestrial biosphere for the global carbon (C) cycle and its potential to reduce the rate of enrichment of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) by anthropogenic emissions, there is incomplete and insufficient scientific knowledge to identify sources and sink of C, risks of biomes to climate change, and site-specific practices to recarbonizing the biosphere. Two options of mitigating climate change through management of biomes are (i) to enhance, manage and sustain biomass production and prolong the residence time of biomass C, and (ii) to improve the C balance within the biosphere. In addition, there is a lack of modus operandi on developing science-policy, nexus to identify and implement appropriate policy interventions to promote adoption of land use and management practices leading to recarbonization of the biosphere. In addition to reducing the magnitude of anthropogenic sources (e.g., deforestation, peatland cultivation, drainage of wetlands, excessive tillage), it is also important to identify and enhance the capacity of land-based C sinks. Further, C sequestration in the terrestrial biosphere must compliment and not threaten or compete with other functions such as food production, water resources, nutrients and biodiversity. Priority biomes for recarbonization are peatlands, wetlands, degraded/desertified lands, and agroecosystems. Biomes with risks of positive feedback to climate change are permafrost and peatlands, and the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. A global platform/instrument is needed to enhance soil-policy nexus, promote synergism and complimentary among organizations, addressing this issue of global significance.

Influence of root growth of two pioneering plant species on soil development during the initial stage of ecosystem genesis in the Lusatian post mining landscape

Boldt, K., Schneider, B. U., Fritsch, S. and Huttl, R. F. 2012. Influence of root growth of two pioneering plant species on soil development during the initial stage of ecosystem genesis in the Lusatian post mining landscape. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92 :6 7� 76. To characterize the role of root growth of Lotus corniculatus L. (birds-foot trefoil) and Calamagrostis epigeios L. Roth (chee reed grass) in soil development during the initial stage of ecosystem genesis, the root systems of these plant species growing in soils from quaternary calcareous sediments were studied. The spatial distribution pattern of root systems varied considerably. Both plant species contributed to the accumulation of organic carbon in the bulk soil, although the highest concentrations were from the legume L. corniculatus. Total nitrogen concentration in the bulk soil was not affected, but increased in the rhizosphere soil of both plant species. There were clear indications that both plant species contributed to homogenizing phosphorus distribution, resulting in phosphorus depletion of those soil compartments where root proliferation was highest. Pronounced differences were detected between plant species, which led to the conclusion that the homogenizing effect caused by one species on a plot level may be overridden by the heterogeneity of patches composed of different plant species at the ecosystem level. All considered components suggest that the development of root systems of herbaceous pioneer plant species provides significant contributions to land reclamation in a natural way.

Societal Dependence on Soil’s Ecosystem Services

Through its natural capital, soil generates numerous ecosystem services for ecological functions and human wellbeing. These include provisional (feed, food, fiber, fuel, raw material), life support (cleansing, recycling) and cultural (aesthetical, intellectual, spiritual) services. Ecosystem services such as carbon (C) sequestration are generated through a close interaction of the pedosphere with atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere. Land misuse and soil mismanagement can degrade soil quality, and either reduces quantity and quality of ecosystem services or leads to disservices and creates large ecological footprints. By increasing the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock, soil biological, chemical and physical quality can be improved which in turn improves ecosystem services. There exist relationships among multiple ecosystem services, increase in one can decrease the other through trade-offs. Payments for ecosystem services, based on rational and objective criteria can minimize risks of overshoot of incentives for enhancing ecosystem services and promote sustainable use of finite and often fragile natural resources. Transdisciplinary collaborations including collaborations between scientists and extra-scientific actors and means of interdisciplinary collaboration are required to tackle the complexity of social-ecological issues associated with soil’s ecosystem services.