• Kraske, Charles
  The Graduate School University of Maine
  

Combined primary and secondary papermill sludge was applied to three young red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) plantations (age< 8 years) in western Maine. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the influence of sludge application on forest soil chemistry and physical properties, soil solution and streamwater chemistry, and conifer and competitive vegetation growth. Research sites were established in Letter E Township, Jim Pond Township, and Coplin Plantation. At Letter E, study plots were established in an adjacent uncut forest area, in order to examine the effects of clearcut harvesting on forest ecosystem biogeochemistry processes. A seedling study was also established to examine the effects of sludge application on newly-planted tree species: japanese larch (Larix leptolepis), red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.), and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). Sludge was operationally applied during the summer and fall of 1989. The target loading rate was 40 Mg ha^-1.