Soil factors determining the fine-root biomass in soil regeneration after a post-fire and soil reconstruction in reclaimed post-mining sites under different tree species

Abstract

For this study, we analyzed the increase in fine root biomass under pine, birch, and larch (Pinus sylvestris, Betula pendula, and Larix decidua, respectively) plantings growing in regenerated (postfire sites) and reconstructed (reclaimed mine soils) forest ecosystems. The control sites were located in natural habitats on podzolic soils in managed forests of the Olkusz Forest District, Poland. The objective of the manuscript included determination of the chemical properties of soils that influence the biomass of fine roots of different tree species under the conditions of regenerated and reconstructed forest ecosystems. We found that there was no difference in the biomass of the fine roots of the studied species in the reconstructed forest system. The afforestation of forest ecosystems with birch may be particularly beneficial to environment because of its higher fine root biomass. Additionally, the fine root biomass increased with pH. Factors reducing the growth of fine root biomass were the availability of magnesium and the total soil carbon content. These results confirm the vulnerability of fine roots to site conditions and highlight the utility of fine root biomass evaluation when studying the dynamics and regeneration of soils.