Tree Growth and Vegetation Diversity in Northern Idaho Forest Water Reclamation Facilities

Forest water reclamation can improve tree growth and renovate municipal wastewater. Although there are indications that long-term application may exceed forest assimilation capacity, is limited information on the effects of reclaimed coniferous ecosystems. The purpose our study was to assess impacts prolonged responses vegetation diversity. We examined at five reuse facilities established between 1978 2013 in a four-decade time series. collected cores stem measurements determine current retrospective increments. assessed plant diversity with surveys. greatest diameter response observed for amendment compared controls 166.1% western redcedar, while Douglas-fir increased up 116.4% ponderosa pine 100.6%. minimum 30.3%. Current annual increments showed basal area volume were significantly greater long-established reclaimed-water-amended plots. understory declined time, overstory time. conclude be valuable resource productivity, but continued without stocking control have detrimental