Cover cropping to prepare degraded lands for forestry: challenges and opportunities
Journal
New Forests
Date Issued
2023-12-26
Author(s)
Stavi, Ilan
Bebre, Ieva
Dimitrova, Anastazija
Stanturf, John
DOI
10.1007/s11056-023-10023-9
Abstract
Cover cropping is practiced in conservation agriculture to preserve soil and water
resources, alleviate soil compaction, sequester organic carbon, and control weeds. Meanwhile,
cover cropping is rarely used in forestry, probably due to the lack of awareness of
this management practice. In this short essay, we discuss the concept of utilizing cover
crops to prepare degraded lands for afforestation or reforestation projects. The benefits of
this practice are similar to those in agriculture. The risks of this practice are mostly related
to plant-plant interactions, and particularly, to the potential competition for resources with
the target trees. As such, this practice should be implemented cautiously, to prevent adverse
impacts on the forest system. Also, attention should be paid to ensure the delivery of ecosystem
services and functions by the target land. Further, the co-use of complementary
practices may be considered to accelerate the success rate of cover cropping in degraded
lands designated for afforestation and reforestation. Among these practices, application of
soil additives, such as composts, manures, and biochars, may be useful in increasing soil
concentrations of organic carbon and nutrients, thus improving soil quality and fertility.
Additional complementary active practices may be the direct seeding or planting of nurse
shrubs and trees, as well as the inoculation of soil surface with biocrust slurries, aimed to
increase ecosystem complexity by forming a multi-story vegetation structure. Recommendations
and guidelines for implementing cover crops in forestry should be site-specific and
case-dependent, and consider both the desired benefits and potential risks.
resources, alleviate soil compaction, sequester organic carbon, and control weeds. Meanwhile,
cover cropping is rarely used in forestry, probably due to the lack of awareness of
this management practice. In this short essay, we discuss the concept of utilizing cover
crops to prepare degraded lands for afforestation or reforestation projects. The benefits of
this practice are similar to those in agriculture. The risks of this practice are mostly related
to plant-plant interactions, and particularly, to the potential competition for resources with
the target trees. As such, this practice should be implemented cautiously, to prevent adverse
impacts on the forest system. Also, attention should be paid to ensure the delivery of ecosystem
services and functions by the target land. Further, the co-use of complementary
practices may be considered to accelerate the success rate of cover cropping in degraded
lands designated for afforestation and reforestation. Among these practices, application of
soil additives, such as composts, manures, and biochars, may be useful in increasing soil
concentrations of organic carbon and nutrients, thus improving soil quality and fertility.
Additional complementary active practices may be the direct seeding or planting of nurse
shrubs and trees, as well as the inoculation of soil surface with biocrust slurries, aimed to
increase ecosystem complexity by forming a multi-story vegetation structure. Recommendations
and guidelines for implementing cover crops in forestry should be site-specific and
case-dependent, and consider both the desired benefits and potential risks.
Subjects
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