Persistence of Western Juniper (<i>Juniperus occidentalis</i>) Resource Islands Following Canopy Removal

Miwa, Chris T.; Reuter, Ron J.

doi:10.3955/046.084.0405

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…Thickets under arid climatic conditions influence the chemical and physical characteristics and quality of soils. As observed in other arid ecosystems (Facelli & Brock 2000;L opez-Pintor et al 2006;Zhao et al 2007;Miwa & Reuter 2010) soil nutrient stocks where elevated under the canopies of M. Tridens thickets, compared to the soils of intercanopy spaces. This result was statistically significant for NPK and soil bulk density and not significant for soil pH and SOC.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

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Structure and function of soil microbial communities in fertile islands in austral drylands

et al. 2022

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Fertile islands are an important determinant of ecosystem functioning in drylands. These resourcerich patches are maintained by complex interactions among biotic and abiotic factors. Soil microorganisms are responsible for essential ecosystem processes and could affect the ability of fertile islands to capture and cycle nutrients, both directly and indirectly enhancing the fertile island effect. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the attributes of soil microbial communities (abundance and activity), elucidate key drivers of the fertile island effect and analyze relationships with a range of soil parameters (physicochemical). The soils under shrub canopies had higher values of microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and soil basal respiration (SBR) rates than soils from intercanopy spaces. However, no differences were observed in Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) or in fungal and bacterial abundances between the microhabitats. Soil nutrient stocks (NPK) and pH values had a positive correlation with MBC and SBR. Also, a positive correlation was observed for fungi abundance and the K content of the soil. We also observed a positive correlation between the bacterial abundance and soil N content. This study suggests that M. tridens can be considered a keystone species that generates fertility islands, critical for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The keystone role that M. tridens plays in this system underscores the importance of improving our understanding of these interactions (plant-soil-microorganisms), especially important as drylands expand and aridity increases due to climate change in the second half of this century.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

“…2006; Zhao et al . 2007; Miwa & Reuter 2010) soil nutrient stocks where elevated under the canopies of M. Tridens thickets, compared to the soils of intercanopy spaces. This result was statistically significant for NPK and soil bulk density and not significant for soil pH and SOC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Structure and function of soil microbial communities in fertile islands in austral drylands

et al. 2022

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“…Even though resource islands do eventually dissipate with time since tree reduction [8], many years are required. Resource islands can last for 15 years after juniper cutting as a result of deep tree mounds [45]. As nutrient concentrations in old tree mounds degrade over time, resource islands become smaller, nutrients become more evenly distributed, and resilience of the preencroachment plant community may be strengthened [8,46].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanical Mastication of Utah Juniper Encroaching Sagebrush Steppe Increases Inorganic Soil N

Young

Roundy

Eggett

2014

Applied and Environmental Soil Science

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Juniper (Juniperusspp.) has encroached on millions of hectares of sagebrush (Artemisiaspp.) steppe. Juniper mechanical mastication increases cover of understory species but could increase resource availability and subsequently invasive plant species. We quantified the effects of juniper mastication on soil resource availability by comparing total C, total N, C : N ratio, Olsen extractable P, sulfate S, and pH using soil samples and inorganic N (NO3-+NH4+) using ion exchange membranes. We compared resource availability in paired masticated and untreated areas in three juniper-dominated sagebrush and bunchgrass ecosystems in the Utah portion of the Great Basin. Inorganic N was 4.7 times higher in masticated than in untreated areas across seasons (P<0.001). Within masticated areas, tree mounds of juniper leaf scales and twigs served as resource islands with 1.9 times higher inorganic N and total C, and 2.8 times higher total N than bare interspaces across seasons (P<0.01). Bare interspaces had 3.0–3.4 times higher inorganic N than interspaces covered with masticated trees during late-summer through winter (P<0.01). Soil fertility changes associated with mastication were not considered sufficient to favor establishment of annual over perennial grasses, and we expect both to increase in cover following juniper mastication.

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“…Several studies have documented nutrient accumulation and modified chemical and physical properties into “resource islands” under woody plants, especially in arid and semiarid environments (Schlesinger et al, 1996; Rostagno et al, 1991; Klemmedson and Tiedemann, 1986). These properties often persist for many years after the removal of the tree or shrub (Miwa, 2007; Schlesinger et al, 1996; Burke et al, 1987; Klemmedson and Tiedemann, 1986). The majority of studies evaluating the influence of trees on soils examine properties directly affected by litter input, including pH, soil nutrients, and organic matter.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cedar Afforestation of Prairie Alters Soil Properties on a Decadal Time Scale

Busch

Presley

2014

Soil horiz

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Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) encroachment on native grassland can rapidly transform the vegetation and ecosystem, but the resulting effect on soil properties has not been comprehensively evaluated. This study examined soil properties at five sites in tallgrass prairie within the Bluestem Hills Major Land Resource Area (MLRA). Two trees were selected per site. Soil sampling was done under the tree canopy, at the canopy edge, and in native grass along a transect at each tree. Vertical profile descriptions of soil morphology were documented for each pedon, and laboratory characterization data were determined for each genetic horizon. Dendrochronological investigations yielded a tree age range of 17 to 56 yr, with a mean of 35 yr. Base cations and pH increased in the surface horizon of soils under the eastern red cedar canopy relative to the canopy edge and prairie soils sampling positions. Field and laboratory characterization indicated that soils under eastern red cedar vegetation still retain many properties of the prairie derived soil; however, some properties related to soil genesis may be more dynamic and can be influenced on a decadal time scale.

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Persistence of Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) Resource Islands Following Canopy Removal

Cited by 7 publications

References 56 publications

Structure and function of soil microbial communities in fertile islands in austral drylands

Structure and function of soil microbial communities in fertile islands in austral drylands

Mechanical Mastication of Utah Juniper Encroaching Sagebrush Steppe Increases Inorganic Soil N

Cedar Afforestation of Prairie Alters Soil Properties on a Decadal Time Scale

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