Alley Cropping - A promising multifunctional form of land use for reclaimed lignite mining sites in Germany
- Since the 1920s, more than 80.000 ha of land have been affected by lignite opencast mining activities in the Lusatia region (Eastern Germany), resulting in the evolution of large post-mining landscapes with substrates poor in humus and nutrients. As a consequence, the current conventional crop production on these post-mining areas is restricted. Against this background, the increasing demand for woody biomass for bioenergy, and thus the cultivation of fast growing trees for woody biomass production, could represent a promising option to enhance the productivity of land reclaimed from mining. Accordingly, considerable research has been carried out over the last two decades on reclamation technology, in addition to attempts to improve the soil quality through the use of different fast growing tree species in the Lusatia lignite region. Through such studies, it has been shown that it is possible to cultivate a sustainable supply of bioenergy wood through the use of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) trees, even under the unfavourableSince the 1920s, more than 80.000 ha of land have been affected by lignite opencast mining activities in the Lusatia region (Eastern Germany), resulting in the evolution of large post-mining landscapes with substrates poor in humus and nutrients. As a consequence, the current conventional crop production on these post-mining areas is restricted. Against this background, the increasing demand for woody biomass for bioenergy, and thus the cultivation of fast growing trees for woody biomass production, could represent a promising option to enhance the productivity of land reclaimed from mining. Accordingly, considerable research has been carried out over the last two decades on reclamation technology, in addition to attempts to improve the soil quality through the use of different fast growing tree species in the Lusatia lignite region. Through such studies, it has been shown that it is possible to cultivate a sustainable supply of bioenergy wood through the use of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) trees, even under the unfavourable growth conditions of the marginal post mining areas. Since this knowledge is mainly based on studies of monocultural plantations (SRC), in 2007 a short rotation alley cropping system (SRACS) was established in the reclaimed lignite mining site “Welzow-Süd” with the purpose of obtaining fresh insight. The present paper evaluates the positive impacts of agroforestry land-use in terms of soil fertility, agricultural crop production, and soil protection against wind erosion based on the results of several years of examination made in this degraded area.…