Abstract

Rich herbaceous layers supply important ecosystem functions and amenity values in urban woodlands. However, due to poor dispersal and recruitment, typical woodland herbs often remain absent in woodlands established on post-agricultural and post-industrial sites, especially in fragmented urban landscapes. Efficient methods for active restoration of the herbaceous layer are therefore needed. In a plantation experiment in an 11-year-old oak stand established on post-agricultural land just outside Malmo City, southern Sweden, this study investigated the effects of compost addition and weed control on post-planting survival, growth and flowering of three typical shade-tolerant woodland herb species: Galium odoratum, Lamiastrum galeobdolon and Stellaria holostea. Removal of competing weed vegetation did not affect plant performance, but compost addition dramatically increased growth and flowering of all three species during the first two growing seasons, and also increased survival in S. holostea. This positive treatment effect probably derived from a more suitable top soil structure and a higher soil moisture in the compost treatment. We conclude that combined use of planting and composting is an effective method for rapid achievement of profusely flowering carpets of summer-green woodland herbs, which can provide important amenity values in the many woodlands established in and around cities in north-west Europe in recent decades. The method may also be applicable in other woodland restoration projects, where it can promote colonisation by typical shade-tolerant woodland herb species. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Afforestation; Amenity value; Forest restoration; Habitat creation; Herbaceous layer introduction; Soil conditions

Published in

Urban Forestry and Urban Greening
2016, Volume: 17, pages: 158-165
Publisher: ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG

SLU Authors

• Richnau, Gustav

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Brunet, Jörg

  • Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Busse Nielsen, Anders

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of Copenhagen

• Wiström, Björn

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Plant Protection Network


Sustainable Development Goals

SDG15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science
Ecology
Landscape Architecture


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2016.04.009

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/79246