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Effects of rooting and tree growth of selected woodland species on cap integrity in a mineral capped landfill siteEnvironmental Research Branch, Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH, UK
Environmental Research Branch, Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH, UK
Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK The above and below ground growth of three tree species (Alnus glutinosa, Pinus nigra var. maritima and Ace pseudoplatanus) was studied on a containment landfill site at Waterford, Hertfordshire, UK. Tree root architecture was studied using soil inspection pits excavated next to 12 trees of each species and mapped in detail. Tree height was related to soil thickness over the compacted mineral cap. No roots entered the cap where soil thickness was 1.3 m, but a few roots, especially of alder, were observed within it when the soil cover was 1.0 m or less. Micromorphological analysis of undisturbed samples of the mineral cap suggested that roots exploited weaknesses in the cap rather than actively causing penetration into it. Alder roots were more tolerant of anaerobic conditions within the cap than the other species examined. The results confirm that mineral caps should be covered by 1.5 m of soil or soil-forming material if tree establishment is intended over a restored landfill site, unless protected by other parts of a composite capping system.
Key Words: landfill mineral cap woodland tree growth tree roots soil thickness UK
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