Advancing circular economy for the growth, root development and elemental characteristics of bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) on galamsey-degraded soil

Abstract

Landscape restoration of degraded mining sites, crucial for agroecology and carbon farming in Ghana, remains poorly understood and underutilized. Bamboo has historically played a role in restoring such sites, but there is a need to integrate circular economy principles fully into harnessing its ecosystem services potential. In this study, we evaluated the impact of biochar and poultry manure amendments on galamsey-degraded mining sites to operationalize circular economy principles in ecosystem restoration, using Bambusa vulgaris as the test crop.

Conducted in the Asikasu mining area of the Amansie Central District of Ashanti, a randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment was used comprising five treatments: 1) 10 tonnes/ha biochar, 2) 10 tonnes/ha poultry manure, 3) Combined biochar and poultry manure at 10 tonnes/ha each, 4) Galamsey-degraded soil control, and 5) Forest topsoil control. Each treatment and control type was replicated three times. The experiment spanned from February 2020 to March 2021.

The combined application of biochar and poultry manure resulted in the highest root density and average root diameter, demonstrating the potential for restoring galamsey-degraded sites to support bamboo-based agroecology. The elemental profiles of the bamboo varied in response to different treatments, indicating differing availabilities of micro- and macro-nutrients in the soil solution following soil amendments.

This study underscores the viability of circular economy principles in ecosystem restoration, offering a pathway to sustainable land use and agroecological practices in Ghana's mining-impacted landscapes.