Exploring Mycorrhizae In Riparian Restoration To Enhance Phosphorus Mitigation And Pollinator Habitat On Unceded Territory
When land degradation imperils freshwater quality, land managers can restore ecosystem functions. The premise of three published/accepted thesis chapters is that mycorrhizae can enhance water quality function of riparian buffers and pollinator habitat through diverse, native polyculture associations...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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UVM ScholarWorks
2022
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| Online Access: | https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/1571 https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/context/graddis/article/2572/viewcontent/Rubin_uvm_0243N_11308.pdf |
| Summary: | When land degradation imperils freshwater quality, land managers can restore ecosystem functions. The premise of three published/accepted thesis chapters is that mycorrhizae can enhance water quality function of riparian buffers and pollinator habitat through diverse, native polyculture associations. Where water quality is threatened through excess phosphorus (P) loads from agriculture, riparian buffers are considered Best Management Practices (BMPs). They intercept agricultural nutrients before reaching waterways. However, their seasonal cycles, saturation capacity, and often degraded conditions limit their ability to protect water quality. In particular, riparian buffers can transition from sinks to sources of P when agricultural practices chronically contribute P, plant cover is sparse, and vegetation senesces. A comprehensive literature review was performed that compiled studies from agriculture, riparian forests and mesocosms which demonstrate that mycorrhizal fungi can decrease P leaching and increase plant P uptake. I conducted further mesocosm and field experiments to obtain data and greater understanding of mechanisms involved in the ecological restoration of critical source areas. A random block mesocosm study investigated the effect of plant species Cornus sericea (red osier dogwood) and Salix niger (black willow), mycorrhizae (added or not), and soil P concentrations (high vs low) on plant P uptake and leaching. The high and low P soils were obtained from the same soil series (Winooski). Contrary to expectations, mycorrhizae were found in both high and low P soils. Dogwood mesocosms had greater P uptake by plants, but also greater leaching of P from the soil than was shown in mesocosms with willow. There were no significant effects of mycorrhizae on plant uptake nor leaching. Mycorrhizal hyphae were present to the same level in soils with high and low P concentrations. More soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) leached from high P than low P soil. In a field study at Shelburne Farms on unceded Abenaki ... |
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