Riparian Soils - Properties, Structure, Fertility,

Amendments

University at Buffalo Engineering for University at Buffalo Engineering for Ecosystem RestorationEcosystem Restoration

Summer Workshop Series 2011Summer Workshop Series 2011Workshop 2Workshop 2

Stream Restoration, Hydraulic Structure and Stream Restoration, Hydraulic Structure and Bioengineering Design Bioengineering Design

June 13-17, 2011June 13-17, 2011

Paul FuhrmannPaul Fuhrmann

Riparian Restoration Riparian Restoration DesignDesign

Landscape EcologyLandscape Ecology

368 Pleasantview Drive368 Pleasantview Drive

Lancaster, New York Lancaster, New York 1408614086

Email: Email: pfuhrmann@ene.compfuhrmann@ene.comTTel: (716) 684-8060el: (716) 684-8060Fax:(716) 684-0844Fax:(716) 684-0844www.ene.comwww.ene.com

Diagnosing Soil Erosion and Bank Instability

Stability and Function Stability and Function by Designby Design

Planting Pockets

Planting Zone 1

September 2003

Planting Zone 3

Planting Zone 2

Pre Project

Bank Failures, Channel Incision and Widening

Soil Instability, Erosion, Soil Instability, Erosion, Restoration and Soil Restoration and Soil

ComponentsComponents The Living (organisms) The Living (organisms)

The Dead (All that composes, The Dead (All that composes, decomposes)decomposes)

MineralsMinerals

AtmosphereAtmosphere

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Soil Functions (in one slide) Soil Functions (in one slide)

In the absence of adverse physical, chemical or biological conditions, soil provides and modifies

• Water (micropores)• Nutrients• Anchorage• Drainage • Aeration (macropores)• Filtration

Calvin Ernst – Ernst Conservation Seeds www.ernstseed.com

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Soil Problems = Restoration ProblemsSoil Problems = Restoration Problems

• Compaction

• Low Organic Matter

• Fertility Levels

• Soil pH (Anion/Cation Exchange - nutrient uptake)

• Competition from invasive exotics

• Salinity

• Overproduction or Excessive Tilling

• Chemical contamination

• Anoxia in non-hydric soils

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Soil Elements that Respond to Amendments Soil Elements that Respond to Amendments

• Organic Content (Humus, Compost)

• Hydrology

• Texture (Stability)

• Consistency

• Microbiology

• pH

• Fertility (N,P,K and Minor Nutrients)

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Agronomy is an Evolving ScienceAgronomy is an Evolving Science

• Soil Food Web (Microbiology)• Soil Dynamics

– Compost (Compost Tea)– Mulch– Geo Textiles– Geotechnical Engineering

• Horticulture • Traditional Knowledge• Soil Analysis

– Micro morphology– DNA, Micorrhizae– Contaminants

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Soils and Restoration DesignSoils and Restoration Design

• Soil and Land have capacity to grow their own protection from

– Erosion

– Invasive Organisms

– Herbivory

– Biodegradation

– Human Disturbance

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Soil Function and Process in Natural and Managed LandscapesSoil Function and Process in Natural and Managed Landscapes

• Water Quality

• Chemical Buffering

• Nutrient Cycling

• Plant Production

• Micro Climate Modulation

• Habitat

• Energy Balance

– Water

– Land

– Climate

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Dynamics of SoilDynamics of Soil

• Mechanical - Tilth, Erodiblity, Freeze/Thaw, Compaction, Sliding, Sloughing, Flowing

• Chemical - Warehouse and Processing Plant

• Biological – Microorganism Bank

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Soil InhabitantsSoil Inhabitants

• Bacteria – Soil Makers

– Decomposes Organic Matter

– Filter and Biodegrade (anaerobic and aerobic) Pollutants

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Fungi - Structural WorkersFungi - Structural Workers

• Decomposes Complex Carbon

• Accumulation and Ecological Association with Organic Matter

• Particle Binding

• Competes with Pathogens

• Micorrhizae Associations with Root Systems for Nutrient Uptake

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Soil Chemistry and MicrobiologySoil Chemistry and Microbiology

Mycorrhizal Fungi

Different types of mycorrhizal associations occur on native plants. They are symbiotic relationships between nearly all higher plants and soil fungi.

The fungal partner increases uptake of nutrients while plant provides photsynthate to the fungus.

(Hickman 1993)

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Primary Types of Micorrhizal Root AssociationsPrimary Types of Micorrhizal Root Associations

• Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) , sometimes called endomicorrhizae or vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM)– Grasses, perennial herbs and many trees/shrubs

• Ectomycorrhizae (ECM)– most woody species and conifers

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Mycorrhizal Benefits are Site SpecificMycorrhizal Benefits are Site Specific

• Degraded Sites

– Organic deficient soils

– Disturbed soils

– Dredged sediments

• Urban soils

• Nursery Grown Stock

• Bare Root Transplants

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Benefits of Micorrhizal AssociationsBenefits of Micorrhizal Associations

• Improved nutrient and water uptake

• Improved root growth

• Improved plant growth and yield

• Improved disease resistance

• Reduced transplant shock

• Reduced drought stress

• Parasitic nematode control

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Protozoa - ChemistsProtozoa - Chemists

• Chemical Release of Nutrients

• Increased rate of Decomposition

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Nematodes - DoctorsNematodes - Doctors

• Police and Regulate Other Organisms

• Mineralize Nutrients

• Consume/Neutralize Disease Organisms

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Micro Arthropods - FarmersMicro Arthropods - Farmers

• Aerators

• Shredders/Reducers of Course Organic Matter

• Stimulate Micro Biotic Activity by preparing food

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Geotechnical Attributes of SoilGeotechnical Attributes of Soil

• Stability on Slope

• Infiltration of Surface Water

• Move water Down slope Internally, within Substrate

• Protect Subsurface Soils from Erosion

• Minimize Particulate Movement and Turbidity

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Soil and Plant AssociationsSoil and Plant Associations

• Water Quality - Filtering

• Surface Water Attenuation and Availability

• Workability/Tilth (Paul Sachs - North Country Organics)

• Anchorage for vegetation

• Nutrient Sinks

• Phytoremediation and Bioremediation

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Vegetation as Indicator of Soil HealthVegetation as Indicator of Soil Health

• pH tolerance (Artemisia vulgaris > 8.5)

• Salinity (Halophytes)

• Hydrology/Soil Moisture (Hydrophytes)

• Fertility (Legumes, N Fixation)

• Contamination (Atrazine)

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Lupines Gone WildLupines Gone Wild

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Soil Amendments and ConditionersSoil Amendments and Conditioners

• Compost - Bio Active Organic Matter

• Compost Tea – Aerated water extract brewed from compost containing

– Soluble Nutrients

– Growth Stimulants

– Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Nematodes

Dr. Elaine Ingham – Compost Tea Brewing Manual 2001

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Compost Tea Quality In - Quality OutCompost Tea Quality In - Quality Out

• Compost

• Filtration

• Water Quality (Chlorinated)

• Brewing Time

• Aeration/Oxygenation

• Micorrhizal Fungi Inoculation (post brewing)

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Soil Nutrients and Bio StimulantsSoil Nutrients and Bio Stimulants

• N, P, K

– Organic sources

– Chemical Sources

• Minor Nutrients/Trace Elements (16)

• Bio or Natural Growth Stimulants

– Seaweed Extract

– Kelp Products

– Compost Tea

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Geo Textiles for Riparian RestorationGeo Textiles for Riparian Restoration

• Wood Chips

• Biodegradable materials (first choice)– Jute

– Straw with tackifier or binder (weed seed free)

– Coir

– Open Weave Burlap (no preservatives)

(All moisture retention and erosion control properties)

ecology and environment, inc.International Specialists in the Environment&

Structural Soil and Soil AmendmentsStructural Soil and Soil Amendments

Hendrikus Schraven

Soil Dynamics

http://www.soildynamics.com/

Soil Foodweb, Inc.

http://www.soilfoodweb.com/

Dr. Nina Bassuck

Cornell University

Urban Horticulture Institute

http://www.hort.cornell.edu/UHI/