research project details
Project Title: An evaluation of the effects fo large-scale forest liming on forest regeneration and water quality
Investigator(s): William Sharpe
Sponsor: Richard King Mellon Foundation
Environmental Problem Addressed:
Treatment of acidified forest soils.
Research Project Objectives:
The objective of this project is to reclaim approximately 500 acres of acidified soils and demonstrate the benefits of forest liming in Pennsylvania.
Summary:
Forest liming has been used sucessfully in Europe for more than 2o years to revitalize forests and reduce acid water runoff. However, in North America, the practice of liming forest soils has met with considerable resistance despite the sucesses in Europe. Small-scale research plots and demonstrations have been conducted in the northeastern United States and Canada and have produced positive results. In Pennsylvania, declining sugar maple stands have been revitalized and sugar maple regeneration improved on limed plots. In addition, regeneration of woody tree species and herbaceous species diversity have been enhanced by liming harvested oak stands in southwestern Pennsylvania. Of particular note has been the increase in acid-sensitive aspen regeneration on limed plots with initial control of competing vegetation.
Whole watershed and riparian forest liming also have been used sucessfully in Europe to reduce aluminum export to drainage waters. Recent reports suggest that such an approach may be superior to in-stream approaches currently in use. Forest soil liming reduces the mobility of aluminum in forest soils, thus improving the soil environment for tree roots and lessening the quantity of aluminum available for leaching.
Recent research also has indicated that the calcium supplied by liming may be important in the reproductive success of forest birds. Calcium is an essential component of eggshells, and too little calcium has been shown to be detrimental to eggshell development.
The potential benefits of liming calcium-deficient forest soils are many. In Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the northeastern United States large-scale demonstrations of this forest restoration method are necessary. This project will endeavor such a demonstration.
Methods:
Currently, a large-scale forest liming project, funded by the Mosquito Creek Sportsman's Association, is being conducted on the Mosquito Creek Watershed located in northcentral Pennsylvania. This project will duplicate the Mosquito Creek project on the Laurel Hill Watershed located in southwestern Pennsylvania. The data obtained from the Laurel Hill project will provide confirming data and allow strengthening of monitoring efforts to determine the usefullness of this type of forest restoration. The project also will examine the effects of forest liming on wildlife populations.
A rubber-tired skidder will be specially modified for use in forest liming. Five hundred acres of upland forest land will be limed