Biochar helps native trees rebuild fungal life in quarry soil
Liao J, So PS, Bordoloi S, Guo H, Hau BCH
Soil Health
If you've ever wondered whether a scarred gravel pit or old quarry near your town could ever host real forest again, this two-year study shows that pairing native trees with biochar jumpstarts the underground fungal networks those trees need to thrive.
Scientists planted two native tree species in badly damaged quarry soil and mixed in biochar, a charcoal-like soil additive, to see if it would help the land recover. After two years, the biochar-treated soil had more carbon, phosphorus, and potassium, and it helped the trees team up with specific helpful fungi in the soil rather than just a random jumble of them. The findings suggest biochar plus the right trees is a solid recipe for bringing damaged mining land back to life.
Key Findings
Biochar increased soil organic carbon by at least 120%, phosphorus by 31%, and potassium by 12% after 24 months in vegetated plots.
With Castanopsis fissa planted, biochar raised the relative abundance of Ascomycota fungi by 24% and Basidiomycota by 47%.
Biochar increased fungal network complexity in bare soil but simplified it in vegetated soil, suggesting plants used biochar to select specific beneficial fungal partners, an effect strongest with Cyclobalanopsis edithiae.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Adding biochar to degraded quarry soil in Hong Kong boosted nutrients and helped native tree species recruit beneficial fungal communities, offering a practical tool for restoring mined and degraded land.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Dynamics of soil fungal communities restored with biochar from a quarry site.
Quarrying activities have intensified due to population expansion, leading to landscape degradation and ecological destruction. Quarry restoration is usually mandatory in Hong Kong, China. Although...
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
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Castanopsis fissa is a species of tree native to Southeast China, Hong Kong, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.