Influence of Mount St. Helens ash on litter decomposition. II. Experimental studies with Douglas-fir needles

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 832-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather E. Erickson ◽  
Robert L. Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Ash Fall ◽  
Needle Decomposition ◽  
Forest Floors ◽  
Mount St Helens ◽  
Floor Temperature

The influence of air-fall tephra (ash) from the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruptions on decomposition of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) needles was studied in a field experiment at the Cedar River watershed near Seattle, Wash. Ash that fell on Yakima, Wash., was transported to the site and placed on 5 × 5 m plots in a 50-year-old Douglas-fir stand at depths of 5 and 20 cm. Objectives of the study were to determine: (i) decomposition rates of Douglas-fir needles on the ash surface, buried under ash, and in an untreated control; (ii) the effect of ash depth on decomposition rates; and (iii) the influence of ash on forest floor temperature and moisture. Yakima ash had considerable influence on forest floor temperature and moisture and Douglas-fir needle decomposition rates. Needles buried under 5 cm of ash had increased rates of decomposition after 2 years (k = 0.595/year) relative to control needles (k = 0.347/year), while those buried under 20 cm of ash had a similar rate of decomposition to control needles (k = 0.349/year), perhaps owing to ash compaction. Those on the ash surface had decreased rates of decomposition relative to buried needles. These results are similar to results found in the ash fall zone near Mount St. Helens, where needles located on top of ash decomposed slower than buried needles. Increased decomposition of tephra-affected forest floors, relative to unaffected areas, may have facilitated plant regrowth by increasing the availability of limiting nutrients. Ash created a more favorable temperature environment for decomposition beneath the ash with the forest floor under ash being cooler in summer and warmer in the cooler months. Forest floor moisture was reduced under the ash but did not appear to be limiting to decomposition.

Influence of Mount St. Helens ash on litter decomposition. I. Pacific silver fir needle decomposition in the ash-fall zone

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 826-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Edmonds ◽  
Heather E. Erickson
Keyword(s):  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Considerable Influence ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Oxygen Levels ◽  
Ash Fall ◽  
Needle Decomposition ◽  
Substrate Moisture ◽  
Mount St Helens

The influence of air-fall tephra (ash) from the May 18 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens on decomposition of Pacific silver fir (Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forbes) needles was studied at two sites along the ash-fall plume northeast of the mountain, Elk Pass and Chambers Lake (20 and 60 km from the crater, respectively). Ash depths beneath the canopy of the old-growth stands at Elk Pass and Chambers Lake were 18 and 5 cm, respectively. Objectives of the study were to determine: (i) the decomposition rates of needles on the ash surface, buried under ash, and in control plots with ash removed; (ii) the effect of site on decomposition rates; and (iii) the influence of ash on forest floor temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels. Ash had considerable influence on litter decomposition. After 3 years, needles buried under ash had faster decomposition rates at both sites (k = 0.34 and 0.29/year at Elk Pass and Chambers Lake, respectively) than needles on the ash surface or in cleared control plots. There was a trend for needles on the ash surface to have slower decomposition (k = 0.18–0.23/year) than needles on control plots (k = 0.22–0.28/year). Site had little influence on buried needle decomposition; rates at Elk Pass and Chambers Lake were not significantly different, despite differences in ash texture and depth. Ash apparently did not reduce oxygen levels enough to reduce decomposition, but instead increased decomposition by influencing substrate moisture and temperature. Fastest decomposition occurred under the ash where conditions were moist and cool; slowest decomposition occurred on the ash surface where conditions were drier and warmer.

Effect of forest floor on growth and nutrition of Douglas-fir and western hemlock seedlings with and without fertilizer

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1222-1229 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Radwan
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
Shoot Dry Weight ◽  
Growth And Nutrition ◽  
Forest Floors ◽  
P Fertilizers

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of four different forest soils on growth and shoot nutrients of potted Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) seedlings, in absence and in presence of forest floor, and with and without N and P fertilizers. Nine-month-old seedlings from low-elevation seed sources were used, and seedlings were grown for 2 years in a roofed lathhouse. Soils were of the Klone, Vesta, Bunker, and Shelton series; Klone and Vesta soils, and Bunker and Shelton soils, were collected from western hemlock and Douglas-fir stands, respectively. The fertilizers ammonium nitrate at 100 kg N/ha and triple superphosphate at 226 kg P/ha were tested. The forest floor, at 70 g/7.6-L pot, and the N and P fertilizers were added to the top of the planting pots without mixing. The forest floors and mineral soils differed by source in many of the chemical characteristics determined. Overall, seedling growth of Douglas-fir and western hemlock was better in the Klone and Shelton soils than in the Bunker and Vesta soils. Seedlings, especially those of western hemlock, grew better with than without forest floor. The N fertilizer reduced seedling growth of both species and, in some soils, reductions were more with than without forest floor. The P fertilizer improved seedling growth of both species in all soils and, with one exception, growth was much greater in the presence than in the absence of the forest floor. With both species, soil, forest-floor, and fertilization treatments affected concentrations and contents of the various shoot nutrients determined. The nutritional changes observed varied by nutrient and reflected differences in uptake of native and fertilizer nutrients, as well as changes in shoot dry weight. The results demonstrate the importance of the forest floor to growth and nutrition of Douglas-fir and western hemlock seedlings, especially when fertilizers are used.

Nitrogen availability in forest floors of three tree species on the same site: the role of litter quality

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1698-1706 ◽  
Author(s):  
K D Thomas ◽  
C E Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Mineralization ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
N Mineralization ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Net N Mineralization ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Paper Birch ◽  
Forest Floors

Forest floor samples from a 25-year-old plantation of three tree species (Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.), and paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.)) growing on the same site were incubated (aerobically) in the laboratory for 29 days. Rates of N mineralization in the forest floors of Douglas-fir (165.1 µg/g) was significantly greater than either birch (72.9 µg/g) or lodgepole pine (51.2 µg/g). Douglas-fir forest floors also had the highest N concentration, lowest C/N ratio, and highest NH4-N concentrations, followed by paper birch and lodgepole pine. Douglas-fir forest floors also mineralized more N per unit of either N or C than the other species. There were no differences in rates of CO2-C mineralization in forest floors among the three species. Nitrogen mineralization rates were positively correlated with the N concentration of the forest floor (r2 = 0.81) and also with the C/N and NH4-N concentration of the forest floor. Nitrogen concentration, C/N, and lignin/N of foliar litter were poor predictors of N mineralization rates resulting from Douglas-fir litter having the lowest N concentrations in litter but the highest rates of net N mineralization in the forest floor. Nitrogen mineralization in the forest floor was negatively correlated (r2 = 0.67) with the lignin concentration in foliar litter. Douglas-fir litter had low lignin concentrations, which may allow more of the mineralized N to remain in inorganic forms rather than being bound in humus. Our results suggest that a component of Douglas-fir might improve N availability in coniferous forest floors.

Effects of bigleaf maple on soils in Douglas-fir forests

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy S. Fried ◽  
James R. Boyle ◽  
John C. Tappeiner II ◽  
Kermit Cromack Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Coast Range ◽  
Litter Fall ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
Forest Floors

Soil chemical and physical properties, forest floor weights, nutrient content and turnover rates, and litter fall weights and nutrient content under bigleaf maple (Acermacrophyllum Pursh) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii) were compared on five sites on the eastern margin of the Oregon Coast Range. Litter fall weight and nutrient content were significantly greater under maple on every site for every macronutrient and for most micronutrients. Forest floor biomass and nutrient content were extremely variable, much more so than litter fall, and there were no consistent differences between the two species. However, turnover rates for forest floor biomass and nutrients were significantly faster under maple for every nutrient at every site. Bulk density of mineral soil was also highly variable with significant differences at only two sites. Soil under maple was consistently higher in nitrogen, and less consistently, in potassium. There were no consistent trends in amounts of calcium, magnesium, or phosphorus. Soil organic carbon content under maple was significantly greater than under Douglas-fir on four of five sites. These differences may result from the more rapid turnover of forest floors under maple trees.

Nitrogen mineralization and decomposition in forest floors in adjacent plantations of western red cedar, western hemlock, and Douglas-fir

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 2424-2431 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.E. Prescott ◽  
C.M. Preston
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
N Mineralization ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Net N Mineralization ◽  
Red Cedar ◽  
Western Red Cedar ◽  
Forest Floors

To determine if western red cedar (Thujaplicata Donn) litter contributes to low N availability in cedar–hemlock forests, we measured concentrations of N and rates of net N mineralization in forest floors from single-species plantations of cedar, western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) on the same site in coastal British Columbia. Concentrations of total and extractable N and rates of net N mineralization during laboratory incubations were lowest in the cedar forest floor and highest in Douglas-fir. Less C was mineralized in the cedar forest floor during incubation, and the amount of N mineralized per unit C was least in cedar. Rates of mass loss of foliar litter of the three species were similar during the first 50 weeks of a 70-week laboratory incubation, but cedar lost mass more quickly during the final 20 weeks. Rates of net N mineralization in the forest floors were significantly correlated with the initial percent N, C/N, % Klason lignin, and lignin/N of foliar litter. Foliar litter of cedar had lower concentrations of N and greater proportions of alkyl C (based on 13C NMR spectroscopy) than Douglas-fir litter. These characteristics of cedar litter may contribute to low N availability in cedar–hemlock forest floors. Concentrations of alkyl C (waxes and cutin) may be better than lignin for predicting rates of mass loss and N mineralization from litter.

scholarly journals ORGANIC CARBON DYNAMICS IN GRASSLAND SOILS. 1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND COMPUTER SIMULATION

1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. VAN VEEN ◽  
E. A. PAUL
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Straw Decomposition ◽  
Soil Biomass ◽  
The World

The decomposition rates of 14C-labelled plant residues in different parts of the world were characterized and mathematically simulated. The easily decomposable materials, cellulose and hemicellulose, were described as being decomposed directly by the soil biomass; the lignin fraction of aboveground residues and the resistant portion of the roots entered a decomposable native soil organic matter. Here it could be decomposed by the soil biomass or react with other soil constituents in the formation of more recalcitrant soil organic matter. The transformation rates were considered to be independent of biomass size (first–order). Data from 14C plant residue incorporation studies which yielded net decomposition rates of added materials and from carbon dating of the recalcitrant soil organic matter were transformed to gross decomposition rate constants for three soil depths. The model adequately described soil organic matter transformations under native grassland and the effect of cultivation on organic matter levels. Correction for microbial growth and moisture and temperature variations showed that the rate of wheat straw decomposition, based on a full year in the field in southern Saskatchewan, was 0.05 that under optimal laboratory conditions. The relative decay rates for plant residues during the summer months of the North American Great Plains was 0.1 times that of the laboratory. Comparison with data from other parts of the world showed an annual relative rate of 0.12 for straw decomposition in England, whereas gross decomposition rates in Nigeria were 0.5 those of laboratory rates. Both the decomposable and recalcitrant organic matter were found to be affected by the extent of physical protection within the soil. The extent of protection was simulated and compared to data from experimental studies on the persistence of 14C-labelled amino acids in soil. The extent of protection influenced the steady-state levels of soil carbon upon cultivation more than did the original decomposition rates of the plant residues.

A climate response function explaining most of the variation of the forest floor needle mass and the needle decomposition in pine forests across Europe

2006 ◽  
Vol 285 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 97-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Kurz-Besson ◽  
M. M. Coûteaux ◽  
B. Berg ◽  
J. Remacle ◽  
C. Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Response Function ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Climate Response ◽  
Needle Decomposition ◽  
Needle Mass

scholarly journals Profiles of C- and N-trace gas production in N-saturated forest soils

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 1127-1157 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Butterbach-Bahl ◽  
U. Berger ◽  
N. Brüggemann ◽  
J. Duyzer
Keyword(s):  
Forest Soils ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Anaerobic Incubation ◽  
N2o Production ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
First Time

Abstract. This study provides for the first time data on the stratification of NO and N2O production with soil depth under aerobic and anaerobic incubation conditions for different temperate forest sites in Germany (spruce, beech, clear-cut) and the Netherlands (Douglas fir). Results show that the NO and N2O production activity is highest in the forest floor and decreases exponentially with increasing soil depth. Under anaerobic incubation conditions NO and N2O production was in all soil layers up to 2-3 orders of magnitude higher then under aerobic incubation conditions. Furthermore, significant differences between sites could be demonstrated with respect to the magnitude or predominance of NO and N2O production. These were driven by stand properties (beech or spruce) or management (clear-cut versus control). With regard to CH4 the most striking result was the lack of CH4 uptake activity in soil samples taken from the Dutch Douglas fir site at Speulderbos, which is most likely a consequence of chronically high rates of atmospheric N deposition. In addition, we could also demonstrate that CH4 fluxes at the soil surface are obviously the result of simultaneously occurring uptake and production processes, since even under aerobic conditions a net production of CH4 in forest floor samples was found. The provided dataset will be very useful for the development and testing of process oriented models, since for the first time activity data stratified for several soil layers for N2O, NO, and CH4 production/oxidation activity for forest soils are provided.

scholarly journals Microbial Substrate Utilization and Vegetation Shifts in Boreal Forest Floors of Western Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Lloret ◽  
Sylvie Quideau
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Microbial Respiration ◽  
Substrate Utilization ◽  
Utilization Efficiency ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Spruce Forest ◽  
Vegetation Shifts ◽  
Forest Floors

Boreal forest soils are highly susceptible to global warming, and in the next few decades, are expected to face large increases in temperature and transformative vegetation shifts. The entire boreal biome will migrate northward, and within the main boreal forest of Western Canada, deciduous trees will replace conifers. The main objective of our research was to assess how these vegetation shifts will affect functioning of soil microbial communities and ultimately the overall persistence of boreal soil carbon. In this study, aspen and spruce forest floors from the boreal mixedwood forest of Alberta were incubated in the laboratory for 67 days without (control) and with the addition of three distinct 13C labeled substrates (glucose, aspen leaves, and aspen roots). Our first objective was to compare aspen and spruce substrate utilization efficiency (SUE) in the case of a labile C source (13C-glucose). For our second objective, addition of aspen litter to spruce forest floor mimicked future vegetation shifts, and we tested how this would alter substrate use efficiency in the spruce forest floor compared to the aspen. Tracking of carbon utilization by microbial communities was accomplished using 13C-PLFA analysis, and 13C-CO2 measurements allowed quantification of the relative contribution of each added substrate to microbial respiration. Following glucose addition, the aspen community showed a greater 13C-PLFA enrichment than the spruce throughout the 67-day incubation. The spruce community respired a greater amount of 13C glucose, and it also had a much lower glucose utilization efficiency compared to the aspen. Following addition of aspen litter, in particular aspen leaves, the aspen community originally showed greater total 13C-PLFA enrichment, although gram positive phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were significantly more enriched in the spruce community. While the spruce community respired a greater amount of the added 13C-leaves, both forest floor types showed comparable substrate utilization efficiencies by Day 67. These results indicate that a shift from spruce to aspen may lead to a greater loss of the aspen litter through microbial respiration, but that incorporation into microbial biomass and eventually into the more persistent soil carbon pool may not be affected.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document