A multi-criteria evaluation of organic amendments used to transform an unproductive shrubland into a Mediterranean dehesa

Published source details Tarrasón D., Ortiz O. & Alcañiz J.M. (2007) A multi-criteria evaluation of organic amendments used to transform an unproductive shrubland into a Mediterranean dehesa. Journal of Environmental Management, 82, 446-456.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Other biodiversity: Add compost to the soil Action Link
	Other biodiversity: Add sewage sludge to the soil Action Link
	Soil: Add sewage sludge to the soil Action Link
	Soil: Add compost to the soil Action Link

Other biodiversity: Add compost to the soil

A replicated, controlled study in 2001–2003 in a degraded wood pasture in Catalonia, Spain, found more plant cover, more plant biomass, and faster tree growth in plots with added compost, compared to plots without added compost. Plants: More plant cover, more herbaceous biomass, and faster oak tree Quercus humilis growth were found in plots with added compost (cover: 89% vs 60%; biomass: 2,700 vs 1,700 kg dry weight/ha; growth: 41 vs 34 cm/year). Methods: Composted sewage sludge was added to five treatment plots (10 t dry matter/ha), but not five control plots (no compost). Each plot was 20 x 5 m. To restore the wood pasture, shrubs and small trees were crushed and scattered on the soil, and grass seeds were sown. Soil was collected in soil cores (10 cores/plot, 0–20 cm depth).
Other biodiversity: Add sewage sludge to the soil

A replicated, controlled study in 2001–2003 in a degraded wood pasture in Catalonia, Spain (same study as (2)), found higher plant cover, more plant biomass, and faster tree growth in plots with added sewage sludge, compared to plots without it. Plants: Greater plant cover and more herbaceous biomass were found in plots with added sewage sludge, compared to plots without it (cover: 85–93% vs 60%; biomass: 2,700–2,800 vs 1,700 kg dry weight/ha). Faster oak tree Quercus humilis growth was found in plots with added sewage sludge (composted or thermally dried), compared to plots without it (41–42 vs 34 cm/year). Implementation options: No difference in tree growth was found in plots with added digested sewage sludge, compared to plots without it (39 vs 34 cm/year). Methods: There were five plots (20 x 5 m) for each of three sewage-sludge treatments (10 t dry matter/ha of composted, digested, or thermally dried sewage sludge) and there were five control plots (no sewage sludge). To restore the wood pasture, shrubs and small trees were crushed and scattered on the soil, and grass seeds were sown.
Soil: Add sewage sludge to the soil

A replicated, controlled study in 2001–2003 in a degraded wood pasture in Catalonia, Spain, found more nitrate in soils with added sewage sludge, compared to soils without it. Nutrients: More nitrate was found in soils with added sewage sludge, compared to soils without it (24–47 vs 3 kg N-NO₃/ha). Implementation options: More nitrate was found in soils with added digested sewage sludge, compared to composted or thermally dried sewage sludge (47 vs 24–28 kg N-NO₃/ha). Methods: There were five plots (20 x 5 m) for each of three sewage-sludge treatments (10 t dry matter/ha of composted, digested, or thermally dried sewage sludge) and one control (no sewage sludge). To restore the wood pasture, shrubs and small trees were crushed and scattered on the soil, and grass seeds were sown. Soil was collected in soil cores (10 cores/plot, 0–20 cm depth).
Soil: Add compost to the soil

A replicated, controlled study in 2001–2003 in a degraded wood pasture in Catalonia, Spain, found more nitrate in soils with added compost, compared to soils without it. Nutrients: More nitrate was found in soils with added compost, compared to soils without it (24 vs 3 kg N-NO₃/ha). Methods: Composted sewage sludge was added to five treatment plots (10 t dry matter/ha), but not five control plots (no compost). Each plot was 20 x 5 m. To restore the wood pasture, shrubs and small trees were crushed and scattered on the soil, and grass seeds were sown. Soil was collected in soil cores (10 cores/plot, 0–20 cm depth).