Species Alterations Caused by Nitrogen and Carbon Addition in Nutrient-deficient Municipal Waste Landfills

The ultimate target of restoring waste landfills is revegetation. The most effective method for increasing species richness and biomass in nutrient limited waste landfills is the use of fertilizers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer, and the addition of carbon through sawdust, sucrose and litter, on vegetation dynamics at a representative municipal waste landfill in South Korea: Kyongseodong. A total of 288 permanent plots $(0.25m^2)$ were established and treated with nitrogen fertilizer (5, 10 and $20Ng/m^2$), sawdust $(289g/m^2)$ sucrose $(222g/m^2)$ and litter $(222g/m^2)$. The aboveground biomass was significantly enhanced by nitrogen fertilizer at 5 and $10Ng/m^2$, compared with the control plots. The total cover of all plant species increased significantly on plots treated with 5 and $20Ng/m^2$, as well as on those treated with sawdust and sucrose, compared with the control plots. The higher species richness after nitrogen fertilization of 10 to $20Ng/m^2$, and the sawdust and sucrose treatment demonstrated that this was an appropriate restoration option for nutrient deficient waste landfills. This study demonstrated positive nutrient impacts on plant biomass and species richness, despite the fact that municipal waste landfills are ecosystems that are highly disturbed by anthropogenic and internal factors (landfill gas and leachate). Adequate N and C combined treatments will accelerate species succession (higher species richness and perennial increase) for restoration of waste landfills.