Influence of gap size on carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycling in Northern hardwood forests of the Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Schliemann, Sarah A.; Bockheim, James G.

doi:10.1007/s11104-013-2005-5

Cited by 38 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…For example, soil microbial community at fine scale was determined by plant community including proximity of tree and understory plants (Pennanen et al., ), while soil microbial community at the micro scale was shaped by roots, organic particles, and soil structure (McIntosh et al., ). In contrast to previous studies (Arunachalam & Arunachalam, ; Lewandowski et al., ; Schliemann & Bockheim, ), the gap size in our study is relatively smaller. On the other hand, soil microbial community exhibits great seasonal shift and yearly fluctuation (Lewandowski et al., ).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Does thinning‐induced gap size result in altered soil microbial community in pine plantation in eastern Tibetan Plateau?

Yang

Pang

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Although the effects of gap formation resulting from thinning on microclimate, plant generation and understory plant community have been well documented, the impact of thinning on soil microbial community and related ecological functions of forests particularly in subalpine coniferous region is largely unknown. Here, the effects of thinning on soil microbial abundance and community structure using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) in pine plantations were investigated 6 years after thinning. The experimental treatments consisted of two distinct‐sized gaps (30 m2 or 80 m2 in size) resulting from thinning, with closed canopy (free of thinning) as control. Soil temperature as well as the biomass of actinomycete and unspecific bacteria was sensitive to gap formation, but all these variables were only responsive to medium gap. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling confirmed that soil microbial community was responsive to gap size. In addition, gap size exerted contrasting effect on bacteria‐feeding nematode and fungi‐feeding nematodes. In conclusion, thinning‐induced gap size would affect soil microbial community through changing soil temperature or the abundance of fungi‐feeding nematodes.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Does thinning‐induced gap size result in altered soil microbial community in pine plantation in eastern Tibetan Plateau?

Yang

Pang

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Meanwhile, the biomass of herbaceous vegetation decreased gradually from the gap centre to under the closed canopy, and the k values at the different transverse positions in alpine forest understory were ordered as follows: closed canopy (186%) > gap edge (133%) > gap centre (131%). Parameters related to the morphology and structure of herbaceous vegetation, such as the leaf‐area index, diversity index and multidimensional scaling (Jain et al ., ; Seidlova et al ., ; Schleppi et al ., ), are influenced by microclimatic factors such as light, temperature and throughfall (Schliemann and Bockheim, ). The pattern in the WHC observed here was similar to that described previously for the LAI from the gap to the canopy (Soudani et al ., Eriksson et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of succession gaps on the understory water-holding capacity in an over-mature alpine forest at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River

Wang

Xiao

et al. 2015

Hydrol. Process.

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Abstract:The water-holding capacity (WHC) of the understory in the headwater regions of major rivers plays an important role in both the capacity of the forest water reservoir and water quality and quantity in the butted rivers. Although forest gaps could regulate water-holding patterns in the understory by redistributing coarse woody debris (CWD), fine woody debris (FWD), non-woody debris (NWD) and understory vegetation, little information is available on the effects of forest gaps on understory WHC. Therefore, we investigated the WHCs of CWD, FWD, NWD, herbaceous vegetation, mosses, epiphytes (including fern and lichen growing on the surface of logs) and soils from the gap centre to the adjacent closed canopy in an alpine forest at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The total WHC of the alpine forest understory components was approximately 300 mm. Soil layer had the largest contribution to the total understory WHC (90%), and among the aboveground components, CWD and mosses contributed 5% and 4% to the aboveground WHC, respectively. With the exception of that of the herbaceous layer, the WHC of the forest floor increased from the gap centre to the closed canopy. Although mosses had the lowest biomass allocation on the alpine forest floor, the waterholding ratio (k) of mosses reached 485%. In conclusion, biomass is the parameter that most strongly and positively correlated with the WHC of the alpine forest understory, and forest gap formation decreases the understory WHC of alpine forest resulting from a decrease in organic soils, CWDs and mosses. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Highlights• The effects of gaps on the understory WHC were examined in an alpine forest.• Gaps decreased the understory WHC by decreasing the amounts of the larger WHC components.• The contribution of CWD and mosses to the aboveground WHC was large.• The WHC of dead debris was higher than that of the vegetation.

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“…). Closed canopy areas of mature, conifer forests in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan have been shown to exhibit greater nitrogen mineralization rates than open, forest gaps (Schliemann and Bockheim ). And, while N mineralization rates increase with elevation in the mountains of the southern Appalachians (Garten and Van Miegroet ), at elevations above 700 m, there is increased variance among areas of differing vegetation, with significantly higher N mineralization rates occurring in areas where evergreen shrubs are absent—an indication that vegetation can differentially affect N mineralization in these ecosystems (Knoepp and Swank ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal and inter‐annual variability in litter decomposition and nitrogen availability in a mid‐Appalachian watershed

2017

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Abstract. The role that microclimates play on soil decomposition is poorly understood. Though litter decomposition is controlled by climate and substrate quality at coarse spatial scales, at the watershed scale, microclimates mediated by forest structure and landscape position can influence decomposition rates and in turn affect nitrogen cycling. To evaluate the effects of landscape position and vegetation heterogeneity on decomposition, we employed a two-year litterbag study (2011)(2012)(2013) using yellow birch leaf litter across the Weimer Run watershed, a cool, humid watershed located near Davis, West Virginia. From our results, we created a spatially explicit empirical model that we tested against both a single-pool and three-pool decomposition model, each based on climate and derived from the Long-Term Intersite Decomposition Experiment Team. Initial litter decomposition varied by elevation, with greater rates of decomposition at locations lower in the watershed. Decomposition rates differed by elevation, except during the first winter of the study. No differences in decomposition rates were seen among elevation levels when snowfall was below average for the first winter (2011)(2012). During the second winter (2012-2013), elevation levels showed separation in decomposition rates, with higher elevations exhibiting lower decomposition rate. This suggests important controls on decomposition exerted by the presence or absence of snow, interannual climate variability, and the interaction of both with topography. Our empirical model showed greater rates of decomposition during early stages of decomposition (<12 months), but converged with the three-pool decomposition model after 20 months. Plant available nitrogen differed by vegetation cover, largely driven by greater availability of nitrate (NO 3 À ) beneath areas of canopy closure in the forest. Controls on decomposition and nitrogen cycling within the Weimer Run watershed vary spatially by elevation and vegetation cover and are subject to complex interactions and differ from standard models of decomposition. The effect of the inter-annual variance of snow depth on litter decomposition is of note and an important consideration moving forward. Climate-based models of decomposition greatly underestimate initial rates of decomposition, potentially leading to under-accounting and compounded uncertainty.

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Influence of gap size on carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycling in Northern hardwood forests of the Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Cited by 38 publications

References 53 publications

Does thinning‐induced gap size result in altered soil microbial community in pine plantation in eastern Tibetan Plateau?

Does thinning‐induced gap size result in altered soil microbial community in pine plantation in eastern Tibetan Plateau?

Effect of succession gaps on the understory water-holding capacity in an over-mature alpine forest at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River

Seasonal and inter‐annual variability in litter decomposition and nitrogen availability in a mid‐Appalachian watershed

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