沙漠研究 19-1, 33- 36 (2009 )Journal of Arid Land Studies“Desert Technology IX ”
Refereed PaperRelation between Growth of Planted Trees and Soil Chemical Properties inAfforestation Sites of Semi-arid Land, WAKatsuhiko KUROSAWA1, Toshinori KOJIMA1, 6, Shigeru KATO1, Hideki SUGANUMA1,Satoko KAWARASAKI2, Hiroyuki HAMANO1,3,6, Shin-ichi AIKAWA1,2, Hajime UTSUGI4,Hiroyuki TANOUCHI2, Masahiro SAITO5, Adrianne KINNEAR6, Koichi YAMADA1,6Abstract: The purpose of this study is to discuss the relation between growth of planted trees
and soil chemical properties in our afforestation sites (mean rainfall: 350-550 mm/y) ofsemi-arid land. The average values of height growth tended to decrease with mean rainfall ateach sites, the maximum of the mean height growth was E. cladocalyx at Bakers Hill (167±31cm/y (1σ)). Height growth of planted trees at lower altitude site generally tended to be lower
than that at high site. In Calingiri, the mean height growth of A. acuminata at low site (79±25cm/y (1σ)) was 40 % lower than that at high site (132±30 cm/y (1σ)). The EC(1:5) value ofthe surface at Bakers Hill and 1.0 m depth at high site of Tammin reached 0.55 and 1.15 dS/m,respectively. EC(1:5) of 1.0 m at high site in Tammin was contributed by high concentrationof Na, however, that of surface in Bakers Hill was affected by high concentration of K and Ca.
pF values at Bakers Hill were almost between 1.8 and 4.2, and that suggested that those porewater are almost useful for uptake by planted trees. At high site of Calingiri and low site ofTammin, pF values of shallow layer were almost hygroscopic water level (pF > 4.2), andphysical condition of water permeability may have to be improved for carbon sequestration.
The range of height growth of E. camaldulensis var. Lake Albacutya at low site of Calingiri andTammin tended to be wider than that at high site, however, the average of height growth of
those at low site were similar to those at high site. This may suggest that the main factor ofcarbon fixation of growth of E. camaldulensis var. Lake Albacutya is not soil chemical
properties and physical condition for water permeability but mean rainfall.
Keywords: Afforestation, Height growth, Soil chemical properties, Wheat belt

1. Introduction
In recent years, risk of salinity andwaterlogging has been indicated in the wheat
belt of Western Australia. The area had been
Calingiri
the forest area dominated by eucalyptus species,
Tamminhowever, those were deforested and used asPerthfarmland on a large scale (Aikawa et al., 2008).
Bakers Hill
By the deforestation, the groundwater levelrose and salt was accumulated at the surface
soil as a result from disrupted ground waterbalance. The afforestation is expected to be Fig.1
Locationof afforestationsitessitein WA.
Fig. 1.
Locationof afforestationin WA.
the most useful method to decrease thegroundwater level and to restore the groundwater balance.
Afforestation trial has been carried out since 2004 at the sites in the wheat belt of Western Australia
in our GHG-SSCP (Development of Greenhouse-gas Sink/Source Control Technologies throughN

100 km1

Department of Materials and Life Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Seikei University, 3-1
Kichijoji-Kitamachi 3-chome, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8633, Japan.
2
Department of Forest Vegetation, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki
305-8687, Japan.
3
Asian Environment Research Group, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba-City,
Ibaraki, 305-8506 Japan.
4
Hokkaido Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute Incorporated Administrative Agency,Hitsujigaoka-7, Toyohira, Sapporo, Hokkaido 062-8516, Japan.
5
Faculty of Bioresources, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiyacho, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan.
6
Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027, Australia.

34

Conservation and Efficient Management of Terrestrial Ecosystems) project aiming at carbon fixation andrestoring groundwater balance by systematic afforestation. The trial sites are characterized by the meanannual rainfall of 350-550 mm. The purpose of this study is to discuss the relation between growth ofplanted trees and soil chemical properties in our afforestation sites of semi-arid land.
2. Materials and Methods
The surveys have been carried out at afforestation sites at Bakers Hill (S31˚42', E116˚28'),
Calingiri (S31˚11', E116˚27') and Tammin (S31˚36', E117˚29') of WA (Fig.1). Mean annual precipitationin each trial sites are 350, 450 and 550 mm/y, respectively (Matsumoto et al., 2006). There are each two
afforestation sites in Calingiri and Tammin, and those are denominative high site and low site after
relationship of each altitude. Tree heights were observed at each sites from 2004 to 2006, and values ofheight growth were divided difference of tree height between 2004 and 2006 by time period. Soilsamples were taken in September 2004 by a soil sampler (DIK-1640: Daiki Rika Kogyou Co., Ltd.). Soilsamples were used for measurements of EC(1:5), concentrations of water-soluble ions (Na, Mg, Ca, K, andphosphate) and nitrogen and carbon contents. Concentrations of water-soluble ions were determined with
ICPM-8500 (Na, Mg, Ca and K, Shimadzu Co.) and UV-1700 ultraviolet absorptiometer by colorimetricmethod (phosphate, Shimadzu Co.). Content of carbon and nitrogen in soil sample were determined byhigh temperature combustion method (830 ˚C) with Sumigraph NC-22 analyzer (Sumika ChemicalAnalysis Services Ltd.). Probes of soil moisture monitoring system (Unidata Pty Ltd.) were installed ineach afforestation sites (0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 m of soil depth) and were used for measurement of volumetricwater content with time. Volumetric water content were converted to pF value by results of permeability
experiment in the field and laboratory (Koyanagi, personal communications).
3. Results and Discussion
Fig.2 shows the average of height growth of planted four tree species in the trial sites during
2004-2006. The average values of height growth tended to decrease with mean rainfall at each sites.
The maximum of the mean height growth was E. cladocalyx at Bakers Hill (167±31 cm/y (1σ)), and theminimum value of those was E. polybractea at low site of Tammin (18±9 cm/y).
There were only two cases of different trend between the average of height growth and mean rainfall.
The mean height growth of A. acuminata at high site of Calingiri (132±30 cm/y (1σ)) was greater than thatat Bakers Hill (94±19 cm/y (1σ)). The average of height growth of E. polybractea at Bakers Hill (78±22cm/y (1σ)) was highest, however, second highest site of that was high site of Tammin (35±10 cm/y (1σ)).
In salinity risk area, height growth of planted trees at lower altitude site generally tended to be slower
than that at high site. Because groundwater depth at low site is shallower than that at high site and height
growth of planted trees at low site tend to be suffered from salinity stress. In Calingiri, the mean height
growth of A. acuminata at low site (79±25 cm/y (1σ)) was 40% lower than that at high site (132±30 cm/y(1σ)). In Tammin, the average values of height growth of E. cladocalyx and E. polybractea at low sitewere 58 and 51% of that at high site (E. cladocalyx: 52±16 cm/y (high site) and 30±22 cm/y (low site), E.
200

Height growth (cm/y)180

E. camaldlensis Lake Albacutya
E. cladocalyx
E. polybractea
A. acuminata

160
140
120
100
80
60
40
200
BakersBakers hill
Hill

Calingiri (high)Calingiri (low)Tammin (high)Tammin (low)The averageof heightgrowthof planted
fourtreespecies
speciesatateacheachafforestation
afforestation site.
sites.
Fig. 2.Fig.2
The averageof height
growthof planted
fourtree35

polybractea: 35±10 cm/y (high site) and 18±9 cm/y (low site)). There was different relationship between
altitude and the mean height growth of E. cladocalyx in Calingiri (high site: 80±21 cm/y, low site: 98±13cm/y). The mean height growth of E. polybractea at low site was similar value to that at high site inCalingiri (high site: 33±13 cm/y, low site: 32±8 cm/y).
Fig.3 shows the vertical profiles of EC(1:5), concentrations of water-soluble ions, carbon andnitrogen in soil at each afforestation sites. In general, if EC(1:5) are over 0.4 dS/m, the soil has risk ofsalinity stress for tree growth. The surface at Bakers Hill and 1.0 m depth at high site of Tammin reached0.55 and 1.15 dS/m, respectively. EC(1:5) of 1.0 m at high site in Tammin was contributed by highconcentration of Na, however, that of surface in Bakers Hill was affected by high concentration of K andCa. Theoretical value of EC(1:5) converted by Na concentration in surface soil at Bakers Hill was 0.02
dS/m, and that contributes 3.6% to determined value of EC(1:5). In 1.0 m depth at high site in Tammin,that was 0.65 dS/m and contributes 57% to measured value. Water-soluble K and Ca are generally as
nutrient for plants, those may affect high growth of planted trees at afforestation site in Bakers Hill. In
surface soil of Bakers Hill, content of carbon and nitrogen were higher than any other sites and C/N ratio
was relatively low value (13.0). Those could indicate that there was advantage for growth of seedling atafforestation site of Bakers Hill.
Fig.4 show volumetric water content and pF value at each afforestation sites. At Bakers Hill, theranges of volumetric water content were 0.06-0.20 (0.3 m), 0.03-0.30 (0.5 m) and 0.03-0.17 (1.0 m),
respectively. The volumetric water content at 0.3 and 0.5 m was almost higher than that at 1.0 m. ThosepF values were almost between 1.8 and 4.2, and that suggested that those pore water were almost useful for
uptake by planted trees. High growth of planted trees at Bakers Hill could be supported by this water
environment in shallow soil layer. At high site of Calingiri, pF value at 1.0 m was almost gravitationwater (pF < 1.8), however, those at 0.3 and 0.5 m were almost hygroscopic water level. The water
environment in shallow layer of high site could be disadvantage for growth of seedling and young plantedtrees. At low site, values of volumetric water content at 3 depths were similar values and trend. Thewater permeability coefficients of saturated soil determined by field and laboratory experiments at 0.5 and
1.0 m depth soil were one order higher than that in same depth of high site (Koyanagi personal
EC(1:5)(dS/m)
0.00
0.0
depth [m]Bakers HillNa(µg/g-soil)Mg(µg/g-soil)K(µg/g-soil)Ca(µg/g-soil)P(µg/g-soil)C(µg/g-soil)N(µg/g-soil)

0.30

0.60

02550

03060

0150

300

0150300

0.00

0.06

0.12

050

100

0.0

5.0

10.0

0.15

0.300150300

030

60

050

100

050

100

0.0

1.5

3.0

020

40

0.0

2.0

4.0

0150

300

030

60

050

100

050

100

0.0

1.5

3.0

020

40

0.0

2.0

4.0

0.5
1.0

Calingiri
depth [m]

high

0.00
0.0
0.5
1.0

low

depth [m]

0.0
0.5
1.0
0.00

0.00
0.0

high

depth [m]Tammin0.0depth [m]

0.30

1.20

0700

1400

080

160

0100

200

0

50

100

0.0

4.0

8.0

0

10

20

0.00

1.00

2.00

0.60

1.20

0700

1400

080

160

0100

200

050

100

0.0

4.0

8.0

010200.00

1.00

2.00

0.5
1.00.00

low

0.15

0.60

0.5
1.0

Fig.3
Verticalprofileof EC(1:5),
concentrationsof water-solubleions, carbonions,and nitrogen
Fig. 3.
Verticalprofileof EC(1:5),
concentrationsof water-soluble
carbon inandsoil at eachafforestation
nitrogenin soil sites.
at each afforestation site.

36

0.3 m

0.5 m

1.0 m

8.0

pF value [-]volumetric water content [-]0.40
communications), and the Bakers Hill
6.00.30
trend of volumetric water
4.0
0.20
content could reflects the
2.00.100.00.00
physical environment for water
8.0
0.40
penetration.
However, Calingiri
6.00.30
EC(1:5) and water-soluble Na
4.0
high0.20
concentration were relatively
2.00.10
high values, height growth of
0.0
0.00
0.40
8.0
A. acuminata at low site might
0.30
6.0
be affected by stress of
0.20
4.0
low
water-soluble Na concentration.
0.10
2.0
Theoretical value of EC(1:5)
0.00
0.0
converted by Na concentration
8.00.40
Tamminis 0.09 dS/m at 0.5 m at low
6.00.30
4.0site of Calingiri, and that
0.20
high
2.00.10contributes 46% to determined
0.00.00
value of EC(1:5).
8.00.40
The ranges of volumetric6.00.30
4.00.20
water content at high site inlow
2.00.10
Tammin were 0.07-0.38 (0.30.00.00m), 0.09-0.23 (0.5 m) and2004
2005
2006
2007
2005
2006
2007
2004
year
year
0.00-0.36 (1.0 m), respectively.
Fig. Volumetric
4. Volumetriccontent
pF withvaluestime converted
bypF values at high site in Fig.4
waterwatercontent
and pFandvalues
timewith
convertedby volumetricvolumetricwater
contentateachafforestation
site.
Tammin were almost over 4.2, water content at each afforestation sites
and these values suggest thatthe water environment at high site was disadvantage for growth of planted trees. At low site in Tammin,
volumetric water content at 0.3 m depth was relatively low (range: 0.00-0.29, median: 0.03) to that at
deeper layer. pF value at 0.3 m depth was almost hygroscopic water level (pF > 4.2), and this could
suggests that physical condition for water penetration in this depth was strongly disadvantageous to uptakeof water by planted seedling and young trees.
At afforestation site of Bakers Hill, height growth of some species (E. camaldulensis and E.
cladocalyx and E. polybractea) were higher than any other sites, and those were supported by soil moisture(0.3 and 0.5 m) and concentrations of water-soluble nutrients in the soil. At high site of Calingiri and low
site of Tammin, pF values of shallow layer were almost hygroscopic water level (pF > 4.2), and physicalcondition of water permeability may have to be improved for carbon sequestration. The range of height
growth of E. camaldulensis Lake Albacutya at low site of Calingiri and Tammin tended to be wider thanthat at high site, however, the average of height growth of those at low site were similar to those at low site.
This may suggest that the main factor of carbon fixation of growth of E. camaldulensis Lake Albacutya is
not soil chemical properties and physical condition for water permeability but mean rainfall.

Acknowledgement
This work was conducted under the supports of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Environment Fund, the Global
Environment Research Fund of The Ministry of Environment (GHG-SSCP project) and Science andTechnology Agency (Core Research for Evolution Science and Technology).
References
Aikawa S., Oda Y., Kaneoya S., Hamano H., Kawarasaki S., Tanouchi H., Yamada K., Kojima, T. (2008): Development of sapling
cultivation technology for afforestation of salt-affected land. Journal of Ecotechnology Research, 14(1): 29-32
Matusmoto T., Kato S., Abe T., Kojima T. (2006): Estimation of water availability condition for afforestation in desert of Western
Australia using carbon stable isotope ratio analysis. Journal of Arid Land Studies, 15(4): 243-246.