How can lime be used to improve soil conditions during restoration?

In the context of ecological restoration, lime is used as an amendment during active soil rehabilitation to restore the original chemical characteristics of a site.1

When an ecosystem has passed a threshold of degradation—often due to erosion or other major disturbances—restoration specialists apply lime to improve soil pH. By reducing soil acidity, lime helps create a more favorable environment for plant recovery.123

Commonly used materials include ground limestone, which contains calcium carbonate as its active agent. In addition to neutralizing acidity, these materials can supply essential plant nutrients like calcium and, in the case of dolomitic limestone, magnesium. Other materials such as marl, chalk, and oyster shells may also be utilized. To be effective, lime must be mixed uniformly into the surface layer of the soil through tillage, as calcium migrates slowly downward.23