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

Abstract

Boldt, K., Schneider, B. U., Fritsch, S. and Hüttl, 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: 67–76. To characterize the role of root growth of Lotus corniculatus L. (bird's-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.