The Role of Abiotic Soil Parameters as a Factor in the Success of Invasive Plant Species

Plant species dispersal has been strongly enhanced by human activities. Introduced species have to cope with indigenous species and local conditions. They may avoid indigenous species by occupying new (abiotic) territory. Once a species is established it may become a pest, and may seriously threaten other species and ecosystems. In this paper we focus on invasive plant species of the Dutch flora. We make two comparisons: (1) Dutch neophytes (i.e. arrived in The Netherlands after 1825) vs. indigenous Dutch flora; and (2) species of the Dutch flora that have become invasive outside Europe vs. non-invasive species of the Dutch flora. We hypothesize that at least part of the success of the invasive or neophyte species is due to their ability to grow under a wider range of abiotic soil circumstances than other species. We regard an invasive species as successful if it is able to disperse from the introduction site(s) and remain present in the invaded vegetation. For ten out of the sixteen abiotic factors there is a wider range for the neophytes: chlorine, potassium, mean highest and lowest groundwater level, phosphorus (and total content) and pH H2O. We hypothesized that part of the success of invasive species may be the adaptation to a variety of abiotic soil parameters. This is indeed the case for a number of the examined parameters, mostly related to nutrient availability and soil pH. This indicates that the success of invasive species is at least partly caused by their ability to grow under a wide range of nutrient availability and soil pH. Their success may therefore be stimulated by the increasing pollution of natural areas by excessive nitrogen

Een natuurlijkere toekomst voor Nederland in 2120

Nederland staat voor grote opgaven: de energietransitie, verduurzaming van de landbouw, herstel van de biodiversiteit, verstedelijking en klimaatadaptatie. Al deze opgaven hebben gevolgen voor de ruimtelijke inrichting van ons land. Het is onvermijdelijk dat Nederland er over honderd jaar anders uit zal zien. Grote veranderingen zijn nodig om opgewassen te zijn tegen een stijgende zeespiegel, perioden van extreem weer, een toenemende vraag naar voedselproductie en een noodzaak om de uitstoot van broeikasgassen terug te dringen.Deze opgaven vragen om een nieuw verhaal voor Nederland. Een verhaal waarin dit dichtbevolkte land zich ontwikkelt tot een gidsland waar natuur, duurzame economie, leefbaarheid en veiligheid voorop staan. Een verhaal gebaseerd op ‘nature based solutions’ waarin opgaven voor klimaat en biodiversiteit hand in hand gaan.Wageningen University & Research heeft dit verhaal geschreven gebaseerd op expertkennis: een toekomstvisie voor Nederland in 2120, waarin natuur en natuurlijke processen een hoofdrol spelen. Een visie die bedoeld is om te inspireren. Het schetst een toekomst waarin economische ontwikkeling en een natuur-inclusieve samenleving hand in hand gaan. De toekomstvisie houdt rekening met de bijzondere kenmerken van verschillende deelgebieden in Nederland. Door middel van kaarten en doorsnedes laten we op hoofdlijnen zien wat er per gebied mogelijk is op het gebied van ruimtelijke inrichting. Dit toekomstbeeld schetst een denkrichting gebaseerd op de uitkomsten van diverse ontwerp- en discussiesessies met onderzoekers. Er is behoefte aan nadere uitwerking en onderbouwing. Samen met stakeholders gaan we deze visie verder ontwikkelen, onderbouwen en vertalen naar handelingsperspectief voor het hier en nu

Currently legislated decreases in nitrogen deposition will yield only limited plant species recovery in European forests

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) pollution is considered responsible for a substantial decline in plant species richness and for altered community structures in terrestrial habitats worldwide. Nitrogen affects habitats through direct toxicity, soil acidification, and in particular by favoring fast-growing species. Pressure from N pollution is decreasing in some areas. In Europe (EU28), overall emissions of NO x declined by more than 50% while NH3 declined by less than 30% between the years 1990 and 2015, and further decreases may be achieved. The timescale over which these improvements will affect ecosystems is uncertain. Here we use 23 European forest research sites with high quality long-term data on deposition, climate, soil recovery, and understory vegetation to assess benefits of currently legislated N deposition reductions in forest understory vegetation. A dynamic soil model coupled to a statistical plant species niche model was applied with site-based climate and deposition. We use indicators of N deposition and climate warming effects such as the change in the occurrence of oligophilic, acidophilic, and cold-tolerant plant species to compare the present with projections for 2030 and 2050. The decrease in N deposition under current legislation emission (CLE) reduction targets until 2030 is not expected to result in a release from eutrophication. Albeit the model predictions show considerable uncertainty when compared with observations, they indicate that oligophilic forest understory plant species will further decrease. This result is partially due to confounding processes related to climate effects and to major decreases in sulphur deposition and consequent recovery from soil acidification, but shows that decreases in N deposition under CLE will most likely be insufficient to allow recovery from eutrophication

Effect of struvite on the growth of green beans on Mars and Moon regolith simulants

When humans are going to live on the Moon or Mars, food production and reusing waste products as manure will be essential for their survival. This calls for a circular sustainable agricultural ecosystem for food production. Earlier experiments have shown that crop growth is possible on simulant regoliths though there are several challenges. One of them is the shortage of nitrate or ammonium in the regoliths. Moreover, phosphate is not easily available. This could be solved by the application of human feces as manure. The goal of this experiment was to test if human urine-based struvite (MgNH4PO4) could fertilize Mars and Moon regolith simulants and lead to a higher yield of green beans. Three “soils” were examined: Mars regolith simulant (MMS), Moon regolith simulant (JSC 1A), and Earth potting soil with and without struvite. Forty grams of struvite were added, besides 10% (volume) organic matter. The experiment was conducted in tenfold. Length of plants was recorded, and beans were harvested when ripe and at the end of the experiment, three and a half months after the start. The struvite treatment yielded a significantly higher bean harvest. Plants on potting soil and Moon soil simulant with struvite addition reached the same height and were higher than the control plants. The plants on Mars soil simulant were smaller but still taller than the control. It can be concluded that the addition of struvite had a significant positive effect on the production of green beans on potting soil and Mars and Moon soil simulant

Passende beoordeling scheuren permanent grasland : Natura 2000-gebieden Veluwe en Rijntakken (deelgebied Rijnstrangen)

In het kader van de vergroening van het Europese landbouwbeleid (GLB) geldt sinds 1 januari 2015 voor het blijvend grasland in Natura 2000-gebieden een ploeg- en omzetverbod, ook wel scheurverbod genoemd. Het doel van deze vergroeningsmaatregel is het beschermen van de biodiversiteit binnen de Natura 2000-gebieden en het behoud van koolstofrijke bodems. Vanuit de agrarische sector in de Natura 2000-gebieden Veluwe en Rijnstrangen (onderdeel van Natura 2000-gebied Rijntakken) en de provincie Gelderland is verzocht tot opheffing van het ploeg- en omzetverbod daar waar mogelijk.Voorliggende studie beoordeelt de ecologische gevolgen van (gedeeltelijke) opheffing van het ploeg- en omzetverbod in relatie tot de instandhoudingsdoelstellingen van de betreffende Natura 2000-gebieden (Passende beoordeling)

Passende beoordeling scheuren blijvend grasland : Natura 2000-gebied Springendal & Dal van de Mosbeek

In het kader van de vergroening van het Europese landbouwbeleid (GLB) geldt sinds 1 januari 2015 voor het blijvend grasland in Natura 2000-gebieden een ploeg- en omzetverbod, ook wel scheurverbod genoemd. Het doel van deze vergroeningsmaatregel is het beschermen van de biodiversiteit binnen de Natura 2000-gebieden en het behoud van koolstofrijke bodems. Vanuit de agrarische sector in het Natura 2000-gebied Springendal & Dal van de Mosbeek en de provincie Overijssel is verzocht tot opheffing van het ploeg- en omzetverbod daar waar mogelijk. Voorliggende studie beoordeelt de ecologische gevolgen van (gedeeltelijke) opheffing van het ploeg- en omzetverbod in relatie tot de instandhoudingsdoelstellingen van de betreffende Natura 2000-gebieden (Passende beoordeling)

Effect van mobiele begrazing door koeien en kippen op kruidenrijk grasland op zandgrond

Met Natuur Mee, founded by Sanne Beld, practices, develops and promotes a regenerative (resilient) agricultural method inspired by experiences abroad (Joel Salatin, Allan Savory, etc.). Together with its partners and volunteers, Met Natuur Mee wants to develop a pioneering location for resilient agriculture, offer inspiration to young farmers, share knowledge, conduct research, but above all offer a nutritious harvest that reconnects people with the landscape. In this study, Wageningen scientists are looking for an answer to the question: What is the effect of mobile grazing management with cows and chickens on herb-rich grassland on dry sandy soil? What does this do above and below the ground in terms of soil life, moisture balance and the diversity of the vegetation? We do this by mapping the effects of the management on the current land that Met Natuur Mee leases from Staatsbosbeheer near Haaksbergerveen. In 2019 and 2020, the management of the pasture consisted of extensive grazing by cattle and shortterm (1 day) intensive grazing by broilers. The management was not yet optimal, due to a shortage in cows. The effect of this form of intense grazing by chickens on the vegetation and the soil is still (relatively) unknown. That is why a science shop project was carried out to investigate the effect of grazing on the vegetation, soil life (especially worms) and the chemical composition of the soil. A nearby meadow has been used as a control plot that has been extensively managed for many years (grazing by a limited number of oxes, combuned with mowing once a year). At the time of sampling, the field was still very dry after a long dry period in the spring and summer of 2020. This had an impact on the soil life and its inventory, very few earthworms and other macro soil life were found. The differences between the treatments were also minor, although the 2019 chicken grazing areas appeared to be more species-rich. The vegetation also shows few differences, even though there appears to be a wet dry gradient that coincides with the elevation of the terrain. In fact, only general grassland species occur in the field and it does not yet meet the wish for a flowery grassland. To achieve this, seed will have to be supplied from elsewhere, for example through grass clippings from a species-rich plot. The chemical analysis show that it is a considerably nutrient-poor area and in any case, poorer than a “normal” farm pasture. The acidity of the soil is low, which was already noted on the basis of the species composition; the soil is on the surface acidified. That is why liming is recommended. The vegetation was also felting, which is unfavourable for a species diverse grassland. A slightly more intensive grazing can prevent this, which will be implemented in 2021. The grazing period by the chickens was however short and the grazing would have to run longer to be able to actually expect effects

Beoordeling ecologische en milieueffecten door opheffen scheurverbod van blijvend grasland in Natura 2000-gebieden : Springendal & Dal van de Mosbeek en Rijnstrangen

Since 1st January 2015, as part of the greening of the European common agricultural policy (CAP) a ban has been put on ploughing of permanent grassland in Natura2000 areas. The objective of thismeasure is to protect biodiversity within Natura2000 areas and conserve soils rich in carbon. Theagricultural sector of the Natura2000 areas Springendal & Dal van de Mosbeek and Rijnstrangen (part of Natura2000 area Rijntakken) has requested an exemption from this ban. In this study the ecological effects of the exemption of the ban on ploughing of permanent grassland are assessed

Growth of Rucola on Mars soil simulant under the influence of pig slurry and earthworms

To feed humans on a future Mars settlement, a sustainable closed agricultural ecosystem is a necessity. On Mars, both the faeces of astronauts as well as any plant residues or other organic waste needs to be (re)used to fertilise the present regolith. The activity of earthworms may play a crucial role in this ecosystem as they break down and recycle the dead organic matter. The contribution of worms to Mars regolith forming is yet an unexplored territory. The first goal of our research was to investigate whether earthworms (Caligonella genus and Dendrobaena veneta) can survive in Mars soil simulant. The second goal was to investigate whether earthworm activity on Mars soil simulant can stimulate the growth of crops, in our case Rucola. The third goal was if earthworm activity can enhance the effect of pig slurry on the growth of Rucola. In a 75-day greenhouse experiment, we sowed Rucola in Mars soil simulant as well as in silver sand as an Earth control, amended with pig slurry, plant residues, and earthworms. During the experimental period, we observed worm activity. At the end of the experiment, the worms had propagated both in the Mars soil simulant and Earth control. However, we found no significant effect of worm activity on plant biomass production. This was probably due to the relative short duration of the experiment, being one life cycle of Rucola. Adding pig slurry stimulated plant growth significantly as expected, especially for the Mars soil simulant