SOIL CHARACTERIZATION FOR RIVERCANE (ARUNDINARIA GIGANTEA (WALTER) MUHL.) RESTORATION IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Rivercane (Arundinaria gigantea) is one of three bamboos native to the U.S. and was once abundant in the southeastern states, growing on the floodplains of low energy rivers and streams. Development and agriculture since European settlement fragmented rivercane habitat and in western North Carolina the few large cane patches that remain are at risk of destruction. Along with the loss of an important riparian ecosystem and bank stabilization potential, the destruction of rivercane “brakes” has been a cultural loss for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). Rivercane with desirable physical characteristics for use by artisans (high branches and large culms) is no longer abundant. In response to this loss, the Rivercane Restoration Project has been initiated to explore the biophysical controls on the modern distribution of A. gigantea and develop science-based criteria for the restoration of rivercane to southeastern floodplains. As data are being gathered to improve restoration plans, landowners are bulldozing existing cane sites. To characterize conditions where rivercane may flourish, we identified 45 sites and recorded growth parameters including culm diameter, culm height, associated species, cane brake area, and elevation. Soil from 20 of these sites was characterized for hydraulic and nutrient properties. Restoration potential appears highest in sandy, well-drained soils. Soil texture analyses using the “feel” method found sands and loams to be dominant in cane brake soils, and laser soil particle analyses of selected samples indicate sand contents greater than 50%. Cane brake soil bulk densities are low, ranging from 0.325 to 1.015 g/cm³, because of the high root density. Typical Munsell soil color values were chromas of 3 and 4, and saturated soil hydraulic conductivities range from 9.4 x 10^-5 to 1.6 x 10^-3 cm/sec for cane brake soils. Carbon and nitrogen levels of soil range from 0.64% to 4.21% and 0.056% to 0.31% respectively. Once optimal biophysical site parameters for the plant are established, recommendations can be made to EBCI artisans and land managers and incorporated into future restoration projects.