Influence of plant communities and soil properties on trace gas fluxes in riparian northern hardwood forests

The response of trace gas fluxes (CO2, CH4, and N2O) and litter decomposition to increased soil temperature was evaluated in a northern hardwood forest. Four experimental plots (10 × 10 m) had heating cables installed within the forest floor. Temperatures at 5 cm were increased 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5°C in individual heated plots during the field season in 1993 and 1994. The fourth plot was a cabled, nonheated reference. Trace gas fluxes were monitored using closed chambers. Soil moisture was monitored using tensiometers and time domain reflectometry. Changes in leaf litter decomposition were quantified using litter bags for American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) litter. Fluxes of CO2 increased exponentially with increased soil temperatures within treatments and were higher in heated plots than in the reference plot. Temperature coefficients (Q10) and mass remaining of American beech leaf litter decreased with the level of heating, suggesting a nonlinear microbial response to elevated temperatures. Soil water content exhibited the most influence on CH4 and N2O flux in the second season. The experimental manipulations showed the importance of evaluating the influence of soil temperature coupled with effects of N and moisture availability.

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Functional diversity of ground-layer plant communities in old-growth and managed northern hardwood forests

Applied Vegetation Science ◽

10.1111/avsc.12083 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 398-407 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Francesco M. Sabatini ◽

Julia I. Burton ◽

Robert M. Scheller ◽

Kathryn L. Amatangelo ◽

David J. Mladenoff

Keyword(s):

Functional Diversity ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Hardwood Forests ◽

Ground Layer ◽

Old Growth ◽

Northern Hardwood Forests ◽

Northern Hardwood

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Spatial variability of soil properties and trace gas fluxes in reclaimed mine land of southeastern Ohio

Geoderma ◽

10.1016/j.geoderma.2006.04.020 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 136 (3-4) ◽

pp. 598-608 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

P.-A. Jacinthe ◽

R. Lal

Keyword(s):

Spatial Variability ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Trace Gas ◽

Gas Fluxes ◽

Trace Gas Fluxes

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Approaches to Scaling of Trace Gas Fluxes in Ecosystems

10.1016/s0167-5117(98)x8020-1 ◽

1999 ◽

Keyword(s):

Trace Gas ◽

Gas Fluxes ◽

Trace Gas Fluxes

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Preferences for Northern Hardwood Silviculture among Family Forest Owners in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Journal of Forestry ◽

10.1093/jofore/fvaa051 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alexander C Helman ◽

Matthew C Kelly ◽

Mark D Rouleau ◽

Yvette L Dickinson

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Hardwood Forests ◽

Family Forest Owners ◽

Forest Owners ◽

Upper Peninsula ◽

Northern Hardwood Forests ◽

Family Forest ◽

Northern Hardwood ◽

Single Tree ◽

Single Tree Selection

Abstract Managing northern hardwood forests using high-frequency, low-intensity regimes, such as single-tree selection, favors shade-tolerant species and can reduce tree species diversity. Management decisions among family forest owners (FFO) can collectively affect species and structural diversity within northern hardwood forests at regional scales. We surveyed FFOs in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan to understand likely future use of three silvicultural treatments—single-tree selection, shelterwood, and clearcut. Our results indicate that FFOs were most likely to implement single-tree selection and least likely to implement clearcut within the next 10 years. According to logistic regression, prior use of a treatment and perceived financial benefits significantly increased the odds for likely use for all three treatments. Having received professional forestry assistance increased likely use of single-tree selection but decreased likely use of shelterwood. We discuss these results within the context of species diversity among northern hardwood forests throughout the region.

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