The Effects of Biochar, Weed Control, and Irrigation on the Growth and Survival of Jack Pine Seedlings and Native Plant Communities in Northern Minnesota, USA
2019-05
Loading...
View/Download File
Persistent link to this item
Statistics
View StatisticsJournal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Title
The Effects of Biochar, Weed Control, and Irrigation on the Growth and Survival of Jack Pine Seedlings and Native Plant Communities in Northern Minnesota, USA
Authors
Published Date
2019-05
Publisher
Type
Thesis or Dissertation
Abstract
Climate change is predicted to result in more frequent and more severe droughts in the northern Midwest region of the United States. This has and will continue to impact forests of the region, especially in regards to establishing regeneration during periods of drought stress. This is leading researchers and land managers to explore adaptive silviculture strategies to promote resilience in their forests. One option hypothesized to improve regeneration success in forest systems is the application of biochar to the soil to increase seedling resistance and resilience to drought conditions Biochar is a bio-based soil amendment created through pyrolysis that has been used for centuries in tropical environments to increase productivity. Since then, biochar has been widely used in agriculture, as it has proven to be effective in increasing nutrient cycling, cation exchange capacity, and water holding capacity of the soil. Additionally, biochar has recalcitrant properties, meaning that it is very slow to degrade and thus is a viable option for sequestering carbon in the soil as a way of off-setting atmospheric emissions. However, there are very few field studies exploring the potential of biochar use in forestry in the Lake States (Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan), USA. Chapter 1 aims to examine the effect that biochar and/or compost has on the growth and survival of jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) seedlings in northern Minnesota through a series of field experiments. This was done by conducting three field based experiments: 1) quantifying the influence of soil amendment and weed control treatments on survival and growth of jack pine seedlings; 2) quantifying the influence of soil amendments and irrigation when competition was controlled on survival and growth of jack pine seedlings; 3) quantifying the differences in planting stock – bareroot and containerized jack pine seedlings – and soil amendment in relation to jack pine survival and growth. Chapter 2 explores a topdress application treatment of biochar to a recently-harvested pine site. Biochar was spread at two different rates, with two different levels of torrefaction. This was done to learn more about what effects topdressing could have on native plant communities over time. These studies have the potential to help landowners make informed decisions about how to promote drought resilience in their forests, as well as provide a basis for long-term research projects looking into biochar use in the region’s forestry.
Description
University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. May 2019. Major: Natural Resources Science and Management. Advisors: Marcella Windmuller-Campione, Robert Slesak. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 68 pages.
Related to
Replaces
License
Series/Report Number
Funding information
Isbn identifier
Doi identifier
Previously Published Citation
Suggested citation
Kelso, Sara. (2019). The Effects of Biochar, Weed Control, and Irrigation on the Growth and Survival of Jack Pine Seedlings and Native Plant Communities in Northern Minnesota, USA. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/208935.
Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.