Tree species do not influence local soil chemistry in a species-rich Costa Rica rain forest

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Powers ◽  
Melissa H. Kalicin ◽  
Meredith E. Newman
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Temperate Forests ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Heterogeneity ◽  
Soil C ◽  
C Storage ◽  
Local Soil ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Organic Acid Exudation

In a now classic study, Zinke (1962) showed that a single Pinus contorta tree growing on a sand dune along the coast of California modified the chemistry of the soil underneath its crown. He found distinct patterns of pH, exchangeable cations and nitrogen (N) content moving from the bole outward to the crown drip zone, because the acidic bark and stemflow were concentrated around the bole (Zinke 1962). Subsequent studies in temperate forests have also found tree species to affect soil chemical properties such as pH, organic carbon (C) and rates of N mineralization (Boerner & Koslowsky 1989, Boettcher & Kalisz 1990, Finzi et al. 1998). Presumably, these species-specific effects are caused by inter-specific differences in organic acid exudation, nutrient uptake, litter quality or quantity, decomposition rates or nutrient outputs (Binkley & Giardina 1998, Knops et al. 2002, Rhoades 1997). Regardless of the causes, species-generated soil heterogeneity has implications for stand-level estimates of biogeochemical processes such as soil C storage and N-cycling as well as implications for plant diversity and regeneration (Finzi et al. 1998). Although a number of studies have demonstrated that tree species modify soil environments in temperate forests or monospecific tree plantations in the tropics (Fisher 1995, Rhoades 1997), few studies have investigated these processes in species-rich tropical forests (but see Rhoades et al. 1994).

Contrasting  effect of coniferous and broadleaf trees on soil carbon storage during reforestation of mature soils and afforestation of immature soils

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Hublova ◽  
Jan Frouz
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Common Garden ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Soil Development ◽  
Alkaline Soils ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Coniferous Trees ◽  
C Storage

<p>Soils and forest soil in particular represent important pools of carbon (C). Here, we present a quantitative review of common garden experiments in which various tree species were planted alongside each other in European countries to answer following questions: Does soil sequester more C under broadleaf than under conifer trees? and How do the effects of tree species and litter quality on soil C sequestration change with soil development (i.e., maturity) and other soil properties?<strong> </strong>We found that the effects of broadleaf and coniferous trees on C sequestration differed with the stage of soil development. In mature soils, more C was stored under coniferous trees than under broadleaf trees. In soils in early stages of soil development, on post-mining spoil heaps, the opposite trend was found, i.e., more C was stored under broadleaf. C sequestration under broadleaf trees was highest in immature soils and in soils with high pH. C sequestration was negatively correlated with the litter C:N ratio in post-mining soils but not in other more mature soils. Similarly C sequestration was negatively correlated with the litter C:N  in alkaline soils and in soil with high clay content. These results suggest that C sequestration mechanisms differ in immature vs. mature soils such that C storage is greater under broadleaf trees in immature soils but is greater under coniferous trees in mature soils. The study was supported by LIFE17/IPE/CZ/000005 project</p>

Variations of the biodiversity and carbon functions of karst forests in two morphologically different sites in southwestern China

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Libin Liu ◽  
Jian Ni
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Karst Area ◽  
Southwestern China ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Karst Forest ◽  
C Storage ◽  
Floristic Characteristics ◽  
Change Mitigation

Knowledge of the biodiversity and carbon (C) functions of karst forests is scarce. This study comprehensively compared the species diversity and floristic characteristics, biomass and its allocation, leaf and soil C and nitrogen (N) concentrations, and photosynthetic capacity of dominant tree species between peak clump depression (PCD)-type and plateau surface (PS)-type karst forests on the basis of two large plots (i.e., 1 and 2 ha, respectively) in southwestern China. Results showed that PCD-type karst forest exhibits higher biodiversity and more tropical family and genus types than PS-type karst forest. These two types of karst forest presented similar total biomass, but PCD-type karst forest allocated more biomass to supporting roots and less biomass to absorbing roots. PS-type karst forest had higher C/N ratios in leaves and soils than PCD-type karst forest. Deciduous tree species in PS-type karst forest had low net photosynthetic rates, resulting in lower net photosynthetic rate in PS-type karst forest than in PCD-type karst forest. Species richness and C storage in the karst morphologies would be considerably enhanced if degraded vegetation in different types of karst area could be successfully restored to forests according to respective morphological and vegetation features. A comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity and C functions of karst vegetation is essential to biodiversity conservation, regional C storage estimation, vegetation management and restoration, and potential global change mitigation.

scholarly journals Specific Microbiome Signatures under the Canopy of Mediterranean Shrubs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Idbella ◽  
Francesca De Filippis ◽  
Maurizio Zotti ◽  
Giuseppina Sequino ◽  
Ahmed M. Abd-ElGawad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
13C Cpmas Nmr ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Mediterranean Shrubs ◽  
Shrub Canopy ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Background: Shrub encroachment (SE) is a phenomenon in which grasses and herbaceous vegetation are replaced by woody shrubs. The progressive spread of shrubs represents a form of land cover change that is widespread in arid and semi-arid grassland ecosystems. Many previous studies have highlighted the effects of SE on soil respiration rates and nutrient storage, but little is known about its belowground effects. While previous work considered shrubs to be non-species specific or as a single intervening species, we selected an Ampelodemsos mauritanicus grassland and six coexisting shrubs (i.e. Pistacia lentiscus L., Juniperus phoenicea L., Myrtus communis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Olea europaea L., and Euphorbia dendroides L.) to investigate the effects of their encroachment on soil microbiota. We used high-throughput sequencing, coupled with soil chemical analyses and litter using 13C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy.Results: Results showed a strong influence of shrub canopy on bacterial and fungal community diversity, species richness and overall community composition in the soil. Litter chemistry was dominated by O-alkyl-C, with the highest content in Ampelodesmsos and Euphorbia, but richer of aromatic C in Pistacia and Rosmarinus. Bacterial diversity was highest under Juniperus and Euphorbia, while lowest under Rosmarinus and grassland. Conversely, fungal diversity was highest under Olea and Euphorbia, while lowest under Myrtus and grassland. Moreover, soil C and N contents were highest under Olea, Pistacia and Myrtus compared to the other canopies. In addition, grassland and Rosmarinus had the highest Fe content. Furthermore, increased co-occurrence network size and connectivity were recorded under shrubs compared to the grassland matrix.Conclusions: Our results suggest that the individual effect of each shrub on the grassland matrix depends mainly on the chemical properties of the shrub litter, which alters the chemical profile of the soil and, in cascade, shapes the associated microbiota.

scholarly journals Higher stand densities can promote soil carbon storage after conversion of temperate mixed natural forests to larch plantations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Na ◽  
Xiaoyang Sun ◽  
Yandong Zhang ◽  
Zhihu Sun ◽  
Johannes Rousk
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Soil C ◽  
C Storage ◽  
Soil C Storage ◽  
Soil C Sequestration

AbstractSoil carbon (C) reservoirs held in forests play a significant role in the global C cycle. However, harvesting natural forests tend to lead to soil C loss, which can be countered by the establishment of plantations after clear cutting. Therefore, there is a need to determine how forest management can affect soil C sequestration. The management of stand density could provide an effective tool to control soil C sequestration, yet how stand density influences soil C remains an open question. To address this question, we investigated soil C storage in 8-year pure hybrid larch (Larix spp.) plantations with three densities (2000 trees ha−1, 3300 trees ha−1 and 4400 trees ha−1), established following the harvesting of secondary mixed natural forest. We found that soil C storage increased with higher tree density, which mainly correlated with increases of dissolved organic C as well as litter and root C input. In addition, soil respiration decreased with higher tree density during the most productive periods of warm and moist conditions. The reduced SOM decomposition suggested by lowered respiration was also corroborated with reduced levels of plant litter decomposition. The stimulated inputs and reduced exports of C from the forest floor resulted in a 40% higher soil C stock in high- compared to low-density forests within 8 years after plantation, providing effective advice for forest management to promote soil C sequestration in ecosystems.

scholarly journals Over half of western United States' most abundant tree species in decline

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hunter Stanke ◽  
Andrew O. Finley ◽  
Grant M. Domke ◽  
Aaron S. Weed ◽  
David W. MacFarlane
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Temperate Forests ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Forest Disturbance ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Scale Transformation ◽  
Forest Composition

AbstractChanging forest disturbance regimes and climate are driving accelerated tree mortality across temperate forests. However, it remains unknown if elevated mortality has induced decline of tree populations and the ecological, economic, and social benefits they provide. Here, we develop a standardized forest demographic index and use it to quantify trends in tree population dynamics over the last two decades in the western United States. The rate and pattern of change we observe across species and tree size-distributions is alarming and often undesirable. We observe significant population decline in a majority of species examined, show decline was particularly severe, albeit size-dependent, among subalpine tree species, and provide evidence of widespread shifts in the size-structure of montane forests. Our findings offer a stark warning of changing forest composition and structure across the western US, and suggest that sustained anthropogenic and natural stress will likely result in broad-scale transformation of temperate forests globally.

Post-thinning soil organic matter evolution and soil CO2 effluxes in temperate radiata pine plantations: impacts of moderate thinning regimes on the forest C cycle

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 1953-1964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Fernandez ◽  
Juan Gabriel Álvarez-González ◽  
Beatríz Carrasco ◽  
Ana Daría Ruíz-González ◽  
Ana Cabaneiro
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Radiata Pine ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Change Scenario ◽  
Soil C ◽  
C Storage ◽  
C Cycle ◽  
C And N

Forest ecosystems can act as C sinks, thus absorbing a high percentage of atmospheric CO2. Appropriate silvicultural regimes can therefore be applied as useful tools in climate change mitigation strategies. The present study analyzed the temporal changes in the effects of thinning on soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and on soil CO2 emissions in radiata pine ( Pinus radiata D. Don) forests. Soil C effluxes were monitored over a period of 2 years in thinned and unthinned plots. In addition, soil samples from the plots were analyzed by solid-state 13C-NMR to determine the post-thinning SOM composition and fresh soil samples were incubated under laboratory conditions to determine their biodegradability. The results indicate that the potential soil C mineralization largely depends on the proportion of alkyl-C and N-alkyl-C functional groups in the SOM and on the microbial accessibility of the recalcitrant organic pool. Soil CO2 effluxes varied widely between seasons and increased exponentially with soil heating. Thinning led to decreased soil respiration and attenuation of the seasonal fluctuations. These effects were observed for up to 20 months after thinning, although they disappeared thereafter. Thus, moderate thinning caused enduring changes to the SOM composition and appeared to have temporary effects on the C storage capacity of forest soils, which is a critical aspect under the current climatic change scenario.

Impact of Deer Browsing on Regeneration in Mixed Stands in Southern New England

1995 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Kittredge ◽  
P. Mark S. Ashton
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Southern New England ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Browsing preferences by white-tailed deer were evaluated for 6 tree species in northeastern Connecticut. Deer density averaged 23/mile². Deer exhibited no species-specific preferences for seedlings greater than 19 in. For seedlings less than 19 in., hemlock and black birch were preferred. Red maple, sugar maple, and white pine seedlings were avoided. Red oak seedlings were neither preferred nor avoided. A much higher proportion of seedlings greater than 19.7 in. in height was browsed, regardless of species. Browsing preferences for species in the smaller seedling class, combined with a lack of preference for species in the larger class may result in future stands with less diverse tree species composition. Deer densities in excess of 23/mile² may be incompatible with regeneration of diverse forests in southern New England. North. J. Appl. For. 12(3):115-120.

Comparison of carbon and nitrogen storage in mineral soils of graminoid and shrub tundra sites, western Greenland

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 165-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea L. Petrenko ◽  
Julia Bradley-Cook ◽  
Emily M. Lacroix ◽  
Andrew J. Friedland ◽  
Ross A. Virginia
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Soil C ◽  
N Storage ◽  
C Storage ◽  
Arctic Soils ◽  
C Pools ◽  
C And N

Shrub species are expanding across the Arctic in response to climate change and biotic interactions. Changes in belowground carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage are of global importance because Arctic soils store approximately half of global soil C. We collected 10 (60 cm) soil cores each from graminoid- and shrub-dominated soils in western Greenland and determined soil texture, pH, C and N pools, and C:N ratios by depth for the mineral soil. To investigate the relative chemical stability of soil C between vegetation types, we employed a novel sequential extraction method for measuring organo-mineral C pools of increasing bond strength. We found that (i) mineral soil C and N storage was significantly greater under graminoids than shrubs (29.0 ± 1.8 versus 22.5 ± 3.0 kg·C·m−2 and 1.9 ± .12 versus 1.4 ± 1.9 kg·N·m−2), (ii) chemical mechanisms of C storage in the organo-mineral soil fraction did not differ between graminoid and shrub soils, and (iii) weak adsorption to mineral surfaces accounted for 40%–60% of C storage in organo-mineral fractions — a pool that is relatively sensitive to environmental disturbance. Differences in these C pools suggest that rates of C accumulation and retention differ by vegetation type, which could have implications for predicting future soil C pool storage.

Soil carbon sequestration with forest expansion in an arctic forest–tundra landscape

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1538-1542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Steltzer
Keyword(s):  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Forest Expansion ◽  
Soil C ◽  
C Storage ◽  
C Pools ◽  
Sampling Locations

Soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools were measured under the canopy of 29 white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) trees and in the surrounding tundra 3 and 6 m away from each tree at three sites of recent forest expansion along the Agashashok River in northwestern Alaska. The aim was to characterize the potential for forest expansion to lead to increased soil C pools across diverse tundra types. Soil C beneath the trees correlated positively with tree age, suggesting that tree establishment has led to C storage in the soils under their canopy at a rate of 18.5 ± 4.6 g C·m–2·year–1. Soil C in the surrounding tundra did not differ from those under the trees and showed no relationship to tree age. This characterization of the soil C pools at the 3-m scale strengthens the assertion that the pattern associated with the trees is an effect of the trees, because tree age cannot explain variation among tundra sampling locations at this scale. Potential mechanisms by which these white spruce trees could increase soil C pools include greater production and lower litter quality.

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