In addition to planting the Wijzonol forest in the Hoge Veluwe National Park in 2019, Koninklijke Van Wijhe Verf also contributes to the broader objectives of the Park, where conducting applied, practice-oriented scientific research is an important goal. One of the studies currently being conducted at the Park is a study into healthy forest soils. A vital soil life is essential for the restoration of forests.
The impact of climate change on forests
Large-scale forest mortality caused by climate change and acidified soils is a growing threat to forests. Forests with tree species such as Norway spruce in the Netherlands and parts of western Europe, are becoming increasingly susceptible to drought and pests, such as the letterwort, that affect weakened trees. To reverse this trend and create climate-resistant forests, current research focuses on the role of soil life in the recovery of degraded forests. This study investigates the influence of different soil treatments on tree growth and soil health in an experimental design.
This research is carried out by Sam Bielen, a highly committed biologist/scientist from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology who is conducting this research for his PhD promotion. The NIOO-KNAW is realising this research together with Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe and Wageningen University .
A large-scale scientific experiment in Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe
In the national park, tree species such as birch, sessile oak, and hazel are planted at eight different locations. For the research are The areas vary in soil richness and available light on the forest floor.
Within this study, the effect of applying soil inoculation and the use of stone meal on tree growth and soil life is being examined. Soil inoculation can also be described as soil grafting in which healthy soil from oak forests is added to impoverished soils. In this way, a wide variety of soil organisms such as mycorrhizal fungi, which cooperate with tree roots and improve nutrient uptake, are introduced into the impoverished system. Stone flour is added to slowly reduce soil acidity and add nutrients/minerals.
Close examination of soil life
Mortality and growth rates are carefully monitored to reflect trends in tree vitality. In addition, soil life is mapped, with fungi in particular being an important indicator to assess the success of soil treatments. This is done by taking various soil samples which are examined in the NIOO-KNAW laboratory. In total, as many as two thousand samples will be taken with a gouge auger and examined.
The final results are still some time away as the entire study will take four years. The hope is that the results of this research will contribute to possible soil restoration strategies that will in turn contribute to improving forest vitality and creating more climate robust forests. We are proud that by contributing to the overall objectives of The Hoge Veluwe National Park, there is room for this kind of practice-oriented research that will eventually contribute to strengthening forest biodiversity on an international scale.
