Comparative Soil Analysis for Ecological Restoration: A Case Study at Kanaka Creek Regional Park

Abstract

This study analyzes the performance of Metro Vancouver’s Nutrifor landscaping soil compared with standard all-purpose garden soil in supporting native plant establishment and early restoration at Kanaka Creek Regional Park, Maple Ridge, British Columbia. In September 2024, 415 native plants representing 22 tree, shrub, and fern species were planted in two mirrored plots, one with Nutrifor landscaping soil and the other with an all-purpose garden soil. Seasonal monitoring in May, July, and October 2025 measured plant survival, growth (height and width), health scores, and invasive species presence, alongside soil nutrient and pH analyses.
Species-specific responses were observed. Nutrient-demanding, moisture-tolerant shrubs, including Red elderberry, Black twinberry and Salmonberry exhibited improved growth and health in Nutrifor, whereas acid-tolerant and upland species, such as Western red cedar, Sitka spruce, and Bigleaf maple, performed better in all-purpose soil. Overall survival exceeded 94% in both treatments, with modest advantages in Nutrifor for select species. However, Nutrifor plots also experienced higher invasive species pressure, and wildlife impacts such as deer browsing affected both soil treatments.
These findings emphasize the ecological trade-offs of biosolid use, highlighting the importance of species-soil matching, early invasive management, and adaptive monitoring for restoration success. Nutrifor landscaping soil supports fast-growing, nutrient-responsive plants and contributes to sustainable nutrient recycling under British Columbia’s Organic Matter Recycling Regulation. Long-term monitoring is recommended to evaluate canopy development, nutrient cycling, and habitat provision for wildlife to fully assess ecosystem recovery.