Interactive effects of composted green waste and earthworm activity on tree growth and reclaimed soil quality: a mesocosm experiment

Abstract

On reclaimed landfill sites, the addition of organic matter such as composted green waste (CGW) to soil-forming materials can support tree survival and growth. CGW addition may also assist the establishment of sustainable earthworm populations, and in turn these organisms can promote further soil development through their burrowing and feeding activity. Despite such potentially mutual benefits, little research has been carried out into CGW and earthworm interactions with trees on reclaimed land. A twelve month, open field nursery experiment revealed the responses of the interactions between two tree species; Alnus cordata (Betulaceae) and Acer platanoides (Sapindaceae), CGW and the earthworms Aporrectodea longa (Lumbricidae) and Allolobophora chlorotica (Lumbricidae) in reclaimed soil. Controlled mesocosm conditions permitted a detailed investigation into the factors affecting tree growth and nutrient uptake, soil nutrient cycling and earthworm population dynamics. Results revealed that A. cordata growth was unaffected by CGW or earthworm addition. There was, however, a significant positive synergistic effect of earthworm activity and CGW addition on A. platanoides growth. CGW addition significantly increased levels of organic carbon and essential plant macro-nutrients in reclaimed soil while earthworm activity assisted decomposition of both leaf litter and CGW. Findings showed that CGW may serve as a suitable early source of organic matter to support earthworm population establishment on reclaimed sites. This experiment demonstrates that CGW improves reclaimed soil quality, thereafter supporting tree establishment and growth on reclaimed landfill.