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Edaphic legacy of phosphorus fertiliser in the restoration of the biodiverse Kwongan ecosystem in ultra-low P soils
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Edaphic legacy of phosphorus fertiliser in the restoration of the biodiverse Kwongan ecosystem in ultra-low P soils

Vinicius H. De Oliveira, Mark P. Dobrowolski, Sarah Duddigan and Mark Tibbett
Catena (Giessen), Vol.254, 108961
2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2025.108961
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Published3.92 MBDownloadView
CC BY V4.0,  Open Access

Abstract

C:N ratio Ecological restoration Plant root simulator probes Rehabilitation Soil compaction Superphosphate fertiliser
The kwongan ecosystem is a biodiversity hotspot on the coastal sandplain of southwest Western Australia. It harbours many rare and endemic plant species adapted to nutrient impoverished soils, particularly to low phosphorus (P). In some kwongan regions surface strip-mining has drastically disturbed these ecosystems, requiring restoration by soil profile reconstruction and re-establishment of the native vegetation, often assisted by mineral fertiliser applications. We examined soil monitoring data from several post-mining sites of restored kwongan vegetation (n = 127), categorised by age groups (10, 20, 30 and 40-year-old sites) and fertilisation history (type of fertiliser applied). Thirty two soil variables were compared to the surrounding native soils (n = 135) by multivariate and univariate statistical approaches to determine whether different restoration ages and fertilisers had long-term impacts on soil physicochemical characteristics. Our analyses showed that restored soils differed from native, with substantially lower carbon (−41 %) and nitrogen (−15 %). Sites restored within the last 10 years had higher sodicity and much lower porosity, while 40-year-old sites presented nearly ten times more Total P. While recent non-fertilised soils showed similar P concentrations to the reference sites, the high legacy P (persistence of P through time) found in older restored soils is a clear consequence of past superphosphate application, greatly decreasing soil N:P stoichiometric ratios (low N and high P) compared to native soils. We show that, after decades, restored soils are still impacted by the past mining activities and fertiliser application. These changes will likely alter microbial and plant communities, impairing restoration trajectories towards the native kwongan vegetation, particularly for P-sensitive species. Despite benefits of P-fertilisation (e.g. improved plant cover), the low carbon stocks and N:P ratios indicate a divergent ecosystem from the native state. Such changes in ecosystem stoichiometry may affect plant species competitiveness, and alter the composition of other trophic levels. Adjusting future restoration practices to reduce P fertilisation is promising, but addressing long-term stoichiometric shifts and soil compaction remains crucial. [Display omitted]

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.45 Soil Science
3.45.473 Soil Phosphorus Dynamics
Web Of Science research areas
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Soil Science
Water Resources
ESI research areas
Agricultural Sciences
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