Research on new more sustainable measures in heathland restoration

Research Institute

Institute for Water and Wetland Research (IWWR)
Department of Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology

Description

First results of a field experiment in nature reserve Maasduinen, indicate that addition of vulkamin, a zeolite containing clay-mineral, may be more effective in restoring acidified heathlands than addition of dolocal. Vulkamin has the beneficial effect to more strongly decrease N availability in the soil as well as the availability of micro-nutrients resulting in vegetation with a higher C:N ratio and  higher manganese content. Therefore, addition of vulkamin could make heathlands more resistent to ongoing climate change and atmospheric nitrogen deposition (leading to lower C:N ratio causing massive insect plagues) and may prevent manganese deficiency in the foodchain.

Techniques

Field work (soil, vegetation, fauna collection), laboratory work (Milestone type mls 1200 Mega microwave destructions, ICP-OES analyses), scientific writing.

Social relevance

Nature restoration (human happiness), public awareness.

Job opportunities

Scientific and applied research, teaching, education in companies, institutes and agencies related to soil, crop and nature.

Info:

Esther Lucassen,
Research Centre B-WARE – Dept. Aquatic Ecology & Environmental Biology
E.Lucassen@science.ru.nl
06-18942981