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Diversity
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Soil Ecosystem Restoration after Disturbances
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Soil Ecosystem Restoration after Disturbances

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2023) | Viewed by 12960

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jan Frouz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Benátská 2, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic
Interests: soil fauna; ecosystem restoration; ecosystem ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Markéta Hendrychová

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: ecosystem restoration

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Soil represents a very conservative part of the ecosystem, and its restoration in terms of biodiversity and ecosystem function may take a longer time than the comparative recovery of the aboveground parts of the ecosystem. The restoration of soil and soil processes which, in large, extend to soil organisms is a basic precondition for the restoration of functioning ecosystems. At the same time, soil is under multiple stress from local intensive disturbances such as mining or similar activity to less intensive but large-scale effects of nutrient deposition. Such disturbances are related to alternations of the natural disturbance regime, intensive agriculture, and numerous others. Moreover, these disturbances interact in a non-trivial way, often with one disturbance resulting in the ecosystem becoming more sensitive to other disturbances, though the opposite situation may occur. The aim of this review is to explore relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem recovery following disturbance in a broad sense.

Prof. Dr. Jan Frouz
Dr. Markéta Hendrychová
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • disturbance
  • recovery
  • restoration
  • ecosystems

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 2955 KiB  
Article
Zonal Patterns of Changes in the Taxonomic Composition of Culturable Microfungi Isolated from Permafrost Peatlands of the European Northeast
by Yulia A. Vinogradova, Vera A. Kovaleva, Evgenia M. Perminova, Olga V. Shakhtarova and Elena M. Lapteva
Diversity 2023, 15(5), 639; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15050639 - 9 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1881
Abstract
This paper provides the results of a study on fungal species diversity in the active and permafrost layers of peatlands within frozen peatbogs in the flatland areas of the cryolitozone, European Northeast of Russia (forest-tundra zone, southern and northern tundra subzones). Fungal taxonomic [...] Read more.
This paper provides the results of a study on fungal species diversity in the active and permafrost layers of peatlands within frozen peatbogs in the flatland areas of the cryolitozone, European Northeast of Russia (forest-tundra zone, southern and northern tundra subzones). Fungal taxonomic list includes eighty-three species from seventeen genera and two forms of Mycelia sterilia. The phylum Mucoromycota is represented by fifteen species (18% of total isolate number), and these species exhibit the following distribution by genus: Mucor (four), Mortierella (seven), Umbelopsis (three), Podila (one). Ascomycota is represented by sixty-eight species from thirteen genera. The genus Penicillium dominates the species saturation (thirty-seven species, 44%). Soil microfungal complex is represented by rare species (51%), random species (32%), frequent species (15%), and dominant species (2%). In peat soils, dominant species are Penicillium canescens (72%) and non-pigmented (albino) Mycelia sterilia (61%); abundant species are Talaromyces funiculosus (41%), Pseudogymnoascus pannorum (36%), albino Mycelia sterilia (29%), Umbelopsis vinacea (25%), Mortierella alpina (17%), Penicillium decumbens (21%), P. spinulosum (20%), and P. canescens (17%). In active layers of peat soils, abundant species are Penicillium thomii (14%), Mycelia sterilia (13%), Penicillium spinulosum (13%), Penicillium simplicissimum (13%) in forest-tundra; Talaromyces funiculosus (21%), albino Mycelia sterilia (15%), Umbelopsis vinacea (14%) in southern tundra; Penicillium decumbens (23%), P. canescens (17%), P. thomii (13%) in northern tundra. In permafrost peat layers, abundant species are Penicillium spinulosum (17%), Talaromyces funiculosus (34%), and Umbelopsis vinacea (15%) in forest-tundra; Pseudogymnoascus pannorum (30%) and Mortierella alpina (28%) in southern tundra; Pseudogymnoascus pannorum (80%) in northern tundra. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Ecosystem Restoration after Disturbances)
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12 pages, 1074 KiB  
Article
Impact of Native Quercus robur and Non-Native Quercus rubra on Soil Properties during Post-Fire Ecosystem Regeneration
by Bartłomiej Woś, Agnieszka Józefowska, Tomasz Wanic and Marcin Pietrzykowski
Diversity 2023, 15(4), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040559 - 15 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2318
Abstract
Following disturbances, ecosystems are more susceptible to invasion by non-native species. Furthermore, it is important to determine the impact of alien tree species on soil regeneration processes during secondary succession. In this study, we analyzed the effect of native and late successional common [...] Read more.
Following disturbances, ecosystems are more susceptible to invasion by non-native species. Furthermore, it is important to determine the impact of alien tree species on soil regeneration processes during secondary succession. In this study, we analyzed the effect of native and late successional common oak (Quercus robur) and non-native red oak (Q. rubra) on soil physicochemical (pH, carbon, and nutrient content) and microbial properties (microbial biomass [Cmic] and respiration [RESP]) nearly 30 years after severe fire disturbance. Post-fire soils under Q. rubra had organic horizons with a greater mass, lower pH values, and depleted nutrient (N, Ca, K, Mg, and P) contents than soils under Q. robur. The impact of Q. robur as a late successional species on soil properties 30 years after a disturbance was similar to that of pioneer species (Scots pine, European larch, common birch, and black alder), as is indicated in previous studies. Most of the studied physicochemical (bulk density, soil organic carbon, N, Ca, K, and P content) and microbial (RESP and Cmic) soil parameters under Q. robur were within the ranges found for post-fire soils under pioneer tree species. Only the pH and Mg and Na contents in organic horizons were higher under Q. robur than under pioneer species. Our results indicate that Q. robur could be a valuable addition to reforestation sites after fire disturbance, especially in more fertile microhabitats. Due to the depletion of soil nutrients, care should be taken when introducing Q. rubra during the reforestation of post-fire sites, especially in larger groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Ecosystem Restoration after Disturbances)
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14 pages, 1090 KiB  
Article
Herbaceous and Woody Root Biomass, Seasonal Changes in Root Turnover, and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal and Ectomycorrhizal Colonization during Primary Succession in Post-Mining Sites
by Satoshi Kaneda, Petra Zedníková and Jan Frouz
Diversity 2022, 14(8), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080644 - 11 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2087
Abstract
Seasonal changes in the biomass and length of fine roots and their growth into ingrowth cores were measured in a chronosequence of post-mining sites represented by 6-, 16-, 22-, and 45-year-old study sites, located on spoil heaps after brown coal mining in the [...] Read more.
Seasonal changes in the biomass and length of fine roots and their growth into ingrowth cores were measured in a chronosequence of post-mining sites represented by 6-, 16-, 22-, and 45-year-old study sites, located on spoil heaps after brown coal mining in the Sokolov coal mining district. The depth distribution of roots differed between herbs and woody species and also with succession age. At the 22-year-old site, the greatest root biomass was found in the fermentation layer (248.9 ± 113.4 g m2) and decreased with depth. In the case of herbaceous root biomass, the greatest root biomass was found in the 16-year-old site (63.7 ± 15.2 g m2), again in the fermentation layer, which decreased with depth. Overall root biomass increased with succession age, reaching its highest value in the 45-year-old site. In younger sites, the root biomass was dominated by herbs and grasses, whereas woody roots dominated in older sites. After one year, the root biomass in ingrowth cores reached up to one quarter of in situ biomass, which would suggest a low turnover rate. However, the difference between the minimum and the maximum value during the course of one year represents more than half of the mean value. Analysis of the number of arbuscules on roots of Plantago lanceolata sown in soil from all succession stages revealed extensive colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in early succession (14.2 ± 0.3 mm root−1), decreasing with succession age, and reaching the lowest value in the 22-year-old site (2.4 ± 0.08 mm root−1) before increasing in the oldest site. Colonization of roots by ectomycorrhizal fungi increased with succession age, reaching a maximum in the 16-year-old site. In comparison with the extent of ectomycorrhizal colonization in relation to root length, the greatest length of ectomycorrhiza-colonized roots was found in the 22-year-old site; hence, the pattern was the opposite of the one observed in arbuscular mycorrhiza-colonized roots. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Ecosystem Restoration after Disturbances)
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8 pages, 761 KiB  
Article
Nematode Assemblages Development Twenty-One Years after the Introduction of Meadow Soil into Bare Post Mining Spoil Heap
by Petra Benetková, Ladislav Háněl and Jan Frouz
Diversity 2022, 14(7), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14070567 - 14 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1992
Abstract
The revitalisation of soil fauna in post-mining soils is one of the ways in which we can slow down biodiversity loss. To investigate the effect of a meadow soil transplanted directly into the spoil substrate on the colonisation of a spoil heap, we [...] Read more.
The revitalisation of soil fauna in post-mining soils is one of the ways in which we can slow down biodiversity loss. To investigate the effect of a meadow soil transplanted directly into the spoil substrate on the colonisation of a spoil heap, we used nematodes as a tool for an assessment of success in soil fauna recolonisation. Three blocks of meadow topsoil (10 × 3 × 0.4 m) were dug out and transported as intact as possible into a bare substrate of spoil heaps near Sokolov (Czech Republic). The soil samples were taken at the beginning of the experiment (1997) and then, after 19 years (2016), were transported into blocks (B) in their surroundings in a 2 m distance (I) and, finally, 30 m from the transported blocks as a control (C), to compare and assess the complexity of soil food web. Nematode total abundances were highest in B plots and lowest in the nearby I plots at the beginning, whereas later, their abundances were highest in I plots and lowest in the control (C) plots. However, due to the high variability, abundances were statistically insignificant. The trophic composition of I plots became similar to the composition in B plots in the late phase; however, the high occurrence of predators in C plots showed a running succession even after 19 years. Our results together with previous works from the same experiment support the findings that the level of soil development has a larger impact on recolonisation by soil fauna than the migration barrier itself. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Ecosystem Restoration after Disturbances)
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15 pages, 5596 KiB  
Article
Reclaimed Mine Sites: Forests and Plant Diversity
by Pavla Vachova, Marek Vach, Milan Skalicky, Alena Walmsley, Martin Berka, Kamil Kraus, Helena Hnilickova, Olga Vinduskova and Ondrej Mudrak
Diversity 2022, 14(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14010013 - 28 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3387
Abstract
The relationship between vegetation and selected soil characteristics in different monoculture forest types was investigated as part of a landscape restoration project after brown coal mining. Six forest types were selected: alder (Alnus sp.), spruce (Picea sp.), pine (Pinus sp.), [...] Read more.
The relationship between vegetation and selected soil characteristics in different monoculture forest types was investigated as part of a landscape restoration project after brown coal mining. Six forest types were selected: alder (Alnus sp.), spruce (Picea sp.), pine (Pinus sp.), larch (Larix sp.), long-term deciduous forest (Quercus robur, Tilia sp.), and forest created by spontaneous succession. These stands were classified into two age categories (younger and older). The soil attributes, C/N, TC, TN, pH, and A horizon depth were assessed. The observed species were categorized into functional groups by life history, life forms according to Raunkiær, and affinity to the forest environment. C/N ratio, humus thickness, and canopy cover were the main soil parameters affecting plant communities. The highest C/N values were recorded in Pinus and Larix stands, which were significantly different from deciduous and succession stands. The highest diversity index was noted in younger stands of Alnus and the lowest in younger stands of Picea. Intermediate values of the diversity index were achieved in successional stands at both age levels and in Larix and Alnus stands. The species belonging to a functional group was not an important factor in these habitat types. The species composition and vegetation change over time in the Alnus, long-life deciduous, and Larix stands show that these species are more suitable for forestry reclamation than spruce or pine. The study also emphasizes the great value of spontaneous succession areas as full-fledged alternatives to forestry reclamation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Ecosystem Restoration after Disturbances)
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