Biochar, a product of biomass thermochemical conversion, has gained recognition for its potential in carbon sequestration and soil fertility enhancement (Jindo et al., 2014). Studies have shown that forest soils amended with biochar can sequester carbon, improve soil quality, and alter greenhouse gas emissions positively without depleting nutrient stocks (Sarauer et al., 2019).
Additionally, biochar derived from agroforestry waste or biomass has been found to improve degraded forest soil and promote tree growth (Zhang et al., 2022).
Research indicates that biochar can facilitate the reclamation and reforestation of low fertility, acidic mined land by enhancing the performance of planted trees (Fields-Johnson et al., 2018). Furthermore, biochar applications have been linked to benefits in tree seedling growth and forest regeneration by improving plant nutrient acquisition and adsorbing phytotoxic compounds (Sackett et al., 2014). The potential of biochar to assist in reforestation of saline sodic soils has also been confirmed (Drake et al., 2015).
Moreover, biochar has been suggested as a globally applicable approach to address climate change and soil degradation by sequestering carbon, reducing soil-borne greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing soil nutrient retention (Hagemann et al., 2017). Studies have shown that biochar application during reforestation can alter soil chemistry and the species present, impacting the success of reforestation efforts (Drake et al., 2015).
In the context of forest restoration, biochar has been found to enhance tree growth responses, indicating its potential as a valuable tool in reforestation projects (Thomas & Gale, 2015). Biochar's ability to improve soil physical properties, root growth, and impact soil biota further underscores its significance in promoting tree growth and soil health (Chen et al., 2021).
Biochar holds promise as a sustainable soil management tool that can contribute to reforestation efforts by enhancing soil fertility, promoting tree growth, capturing carbon, and mitigating environmental challenges associated with degraded lands.
References;
Chen, H., Chen, C., & Yu, F. (2021). Biochar improves root growth of sapium sebiferum (l.) roxb. container seedlings. Agronomy, 11(6), 1242. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11061242
Drake, J., Carrucan, A., Jackson, W., Cavagnaro, T., & Patti, A. (2015). Biochar application during reforestation alters species present and soil chemistry. The Science of the Total Environment, 514, 359-365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.02.012
Drake, J., Cavagnaro, T., Cunningham, S., Jackson, W., & Patti, A. (2015). Does biochar improve establishment of tree seedlings in saline sodic soils?. Land Degradation and Development, 27(1), 52-59. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2374
Fields-Johnson, C., Fike, J., Galbraith, J., Maguire, R., Day, S., Zedaker, S., … & Mathis, J. (2018). Pine sawdust biochar as a potential amendment for establishing trees in appalachian mine spoils. Reforesta, (6), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.21750/refor.6.01.54
Hagemann, N., Joseph, S., Schmidt, H., Kammann, C., Harter, J., Borch, T., … & Kappler, A. (2017). Organic coating on biochar explains its nutrient retention and stimulation of soil fertility. Nature Communications, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-01123-0
Jindo, K., Mizumoto, H., Sawada, Y., Sánchez-Monedero, M., & Sonoki, T. (2014). Physical and chemical characterization of biochars derived from different agricultural residues. Biogeosciences, 11(23), 6613-6621. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-6613-2014
Sackett, T., Basiliko, N., Noyce, G., Winsborough, C., Schurman, J., Ikeda, C., … & Thomas, S. (2014). Soil and greenhouse gas responses to biochar additions in a temperate hardwood forest. GCB Bioenergy, 7(5), 1062-1074. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12211
Sarauer, J., Page-Dumroese, D., & Coleman, M. (2019). Soil greenhouse gas, carbon content, and tree growth response to biochar amendment in western united states forests. GCB Bioenergy, 11(5), 660-671. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12595
Thomas, S. and Gale, N. (2015). Biochar and forest restoration: a review and meta-analysis of tree growth responses. New Forests, 46(5-6), 931-946. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-015-9491-7
Zhang, J., Zhang, S., Niu, C., Jiang, J., & Sun, H. (2022). Positive effects of biochar on the degraded forest soil and tree growth in china: a systematic review. Phyton, 91(8), 1601-1616. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2022.020323
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