Should forests be limed or not
2000
Ots, K. | Mandre, M. | Rauk, J. (Estonian Agricultural Univ., Tartu (Estonia). Faculty of Forestry)
Acidification processes in soils lead to mobilization of soil-bound metal ions, primarily Al. Toxic effects of these ions in forest soils coupled with Ca and Mg deficiency cause a reduction of the total mass of fine roots etc. Liming brings about an increase in soil pH and also an increased availability of Ca and Mg. Base saturation, in particular that of the humus layer, will rise while the solubility of Fe, Cu and Mn will decline. Liming, through the increase in soil pH, undoubtedly produces changes in the soil microflora. The fungal population will decrease and the bacterial population will increase and its species composition will change. Our liming experiment showed that oil-shale ash could be highly effective in fighting the acidity of sandy soils in a forest ecosystem. Liming of forests has led to contradictory results, but different studies demonstrate that in addition to increasing the productivity of forests lime fertilizers may have a negative effect. Therefore, liming of forests must not be isolated from using mineral fertilizers. It cannot replace fertilizing but has a complementary effect. Although contradictory findings have been reported on liming forest soils, cement and oil-shale ash may be used for the neutralization of acid forest soils
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