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Zhai K, Hua Y, Liang J, Li J, Wang Z, Liu L, Gao M, Sa R, Zhao M. Soil microbial diversity under different types of interference in birch secondary forest in the Greater Khingan Mountains in China. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1267746. [PMID: 37954244 PMCID: PMC10635414 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1267746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Soil microorganisms are an important component of soil ecosystems with an indispensable role in forest ecosystems. We analyzed the soil microbial diversity in birch secondary forest formed by natural restoration or artificial reconstruction after interference by burning, clear cutting, and gradient cutting, and the Betula platyphylla Suk undisturbed forest in the Greater Khingan Mountains in China. Methods Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the characteristics of the soil microbial community during the restoration process of birch secondary forest caused by the different types of interference. The relationships between bacteria and fungi were analyzed. The gene functions of the soil bacterial community and the ecological functions of soil fungi were predicted using PICRUSt and FunGuild, respectively. Results At the phylum level, the species and quantity of bacteria were more abundant than that of fungi. At the genus level, no obvious differences in the abundance of bacteria were observed; there were obvious differences in the abundance of fungi. Among the eight sample plots, the artificial larch forest belt had the highest bacterial and fungal alpha diversity, which was slightly higher than undisturbed forest, while the other sample plots were significantly lower. Gradual cutting pure birch forest bacteria and fungi had the highest beta diversity, and artificial larch forest belt bacteria and heavy burn sample plot fungi had the lowest beta diversity. Samples from the cutting and burning sample plots were significantly different from the undisturbed forest at the phylum level of Acidobacteriae, Acidimicrobiia, Mortierellomycetes and Sordariomycetes. We found statistical differences in biomarkers between bacterial and fungal communities in undisturbed forest and artificial larch forest belt and burn sample plots. PICRUSt prediction and FunGuild prediction showed that soil bacterial and fungal communities were rich in gene and ecological functions, respectively. In the microbial network, the stability or anti-interference performance of the fungal community was higher than that of bacteria. Conclusion Our data reveal the characteristics of the soil microbial community during the restoration process of Betula platyphylla Suk secondary forest under different types of disturbance, which is of great significance for understanding the role of soil microorganisms in the forest ecological cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitao Zhai
- College of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yongchun Hua
- College of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jingwen Liang
- College of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jing Li
- College of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Zirui Wang
- College of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Lei Liu
- College of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Minglong Gao
- College of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Rula Sa
- College of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Mingmin Zhao
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
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LaRue EA, Fahey R, Fuson TL, Foster JR, Matthes JH, Krause K, Hardiman BS. Evaluating the sensitivity of forest structural diversity characterization to
LiDAR
point density. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. LaRue
- Department of Biological Sciences The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso Texas USA
| | - Robert Fahey
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment and Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering University of Connecticut Storrs Connecticut USA
| | - Tabatha L. Fuson
- Environmental Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso Texas USA
| | - Jane R. Foster
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources The University of Vermont Burlington Vermont USA
| | - Jaclyn Hatala Matthes
- Department of Biological Sciences Wellesley College Wellesley Massachusetts USA
- Harvard Forest Harvard University Petersham Massachusetts USA
| | - Keith Krause
- Battelle, National Ecological Observatory Network Boulder Colorado USA
| | - Brady S. Hardiman
- Forestry and Natural Resources Purdue University West Lafayette Indiana USA
- Environmental and Ecological Engineering Purdue University West Lafayette Indiana USA
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Role of Tree Species, the Herb Layer and Watershed Characteristics in Nitrate Assimilation in a Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest. NITROGEN 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/nitrogen3020022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Forest plants that can assimilate nitrate may act as nitrate sink and, consequently, reduce nitrate losses from watershed ecosystems through leaching. This study, conducted at the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia, quantified via nitrogen reductase activity (NRA) the nitrate assimilation of two tree species, red maple and sugar maple, and surrounding common herb-layer species at the tissue (foliage, roots) and plot level. NRA measurements were conducted in summer and spring. Furthermore, NRA was quantified under varying levels of soil nitrate availability due to fertilization, different stages in secondary forest succession, and watershed aspect. This study confirmed that NRA of mature maples does not respond to varying levels of soil nitrate availability. However, some herb-layer species’ NRA did increase with nitrogen fertilization, and it may be greater in spring than in summer. Combined with biomass, the herb layer’s NRA at the plot-level (NRAA) comprised 9 to 41% of the total (tree + herb-layer) foliar NRAA during the growing season. This demonstrates that the herb layer contributes to nitrate assimilation disproportionally to its small biomass in the forest and may provide a vernal dam to nitrate loss not only by its early presence but also by increased spring NRA relative to summer.
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Reed SP, Royo AA, Fotis AT, Knight KS, Flower CE, Curtis PS. The long‐term impacts of deer herbivory in determining temperate forest stand and canopy structural complexity. J Appl Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel P. Reed
- Department of Forest Resources University of Minnesota St. Paul MN USA
| | - Alejandro A. Royo
- Forestry Sciences Lab USDA Forest ServiceNorthern Research Station Irvine PA USA
| | | | | | | | - Peter S. Curtis
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology The Ohio State University Columbus OH USA
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Gough CM, Bohrer G, Hardiman BS, Nave LE, Vogel CS, Atkins JW, Bond-Lamberty B, Fahey RT, Fotis AT, Grigri MS, Haber LT, Ju Y, Kleinke CL, Mathes KC, Nadelhoffer KJ, Stuart-Haëntjens E, Curtis PS. Disturbance-accelerated succession increases the production of a temperate forest. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02417. [PMID: 34278647 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Many secondary deciduous forests of eastern North America are approaching a transition in which mature early-successional trees are declining, resulting in an uncertain future for this century-long carbon (C) sink. We initiated the Forest Accelerated Succession Experiment (FASET) at the University of Michigan Biological Station to examine the patterns and mechanisms underlying forest C cycling following the stem girdling-induced mortality of >6,700 early-successional Populus spp. (aspen) and Betula papyrifera (paper birch). Meteorological flux tower-based C cycling observations from the 33-ha treatment forest have been paired with those from a nearby unmanipulated forest since 2008. Following over a decade of observations, we revisit our core hypothesis: that net ecosystem production (NEP) would increase following the transition to mid-late-successional species dominance due to increased canopy structural complexity. Supporting our hypothesis, NEP was stable, briefly declined, and then increased relative to the control in the decade following disturbance; however, increasing NEP was not associated with rising structural complexity but rather with a rapid 1-yr recovery of total leaf area index as mid-late-successional Acer, Quercus, and Pinus assumed canopy dominance. The transition to mid-late-successional species dominance improved carbon-use efficiency (CUE = NEP/gross primary production) as ecosystem respiration declined. Similar soil respiration rates in control and treatment forests, along with species differences in leaf physiology and the rising relative growth rates of mid-late-successional species in the treatment forest, suggest changes in aboveground plant respiration and growth were primarily responsible for increases in NEP. We conclude that deciduous forests transitioning from early to middle succession are capable of sustained or increased NEP, even when experiencing extensive tree mortality. This adds to mounting evidence that aging deciduous forests in the region will function as C sinks for decades to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Gough
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842012, 1000 West Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23284, USA
| | - Gil Bohrer
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, Ohio State University, 2070 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Brady S Hardiman
- Forestry and Natural Resources and Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907, USA
| | - Lucas E Nave
- Biological Station and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Pellston, Michigan, 49769, USA
| | - Christoph S Vogel
- Biological Station and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Pellston, Michigan, 49769, USA
| | - Jeff W Atkins
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842012, 1000 West Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23284, USA
| | - Ben Bond-Lamberty
- Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 5825 University Research Court, College Park, Maryland, 20740, USA
| | - Robert T Fahey
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of Connecticut, 1376 Storrs Road, Storrs, Connecticut, 06269, USA
| | - Alexander T Fotis
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, 318 W 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Maxim S Grigri
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842012, 1000 West Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23284, USA
| | - Lisa T Haber
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842012, 1000 West Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23284, USA
| | - Yang Ju
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, Ohio State University, 2070 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Callie L Kleinke
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, Ohio State University, 2070 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Kayla C Mathes
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842012, 1000 West Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23284, USA
| | - Knute J Nadelhoffer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Ellen Stuart-Haëntjens
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842012, 1000 West Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23284, USA
| | - Peter S Curtis
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, 318 W 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
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The Role of Remote Sensing for the Assessment and Monitoring of Forest Health: A Systematic Evidence Synthesis. FORESTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/f12081134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Forests are increasingly subject to a number of disturbances that can adversely influence their health. Remote sensing offers an efficient alternative for assessing and monitoring forest health. A myriad of methods based upon remotely sensed data have been developed, tailored to the different definitions of forest health considered, and covering a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. The purpose of this review paper is to identify and analyse studies that addressed forest health issues applying remote sensing techniques, in addition to studying the methodological wealth present in these papers. For this matter, we applied the PRISMA protocol to seek and select studies of our interest and subsequently analyse the information contained within them. A final set of 107 journal papers published between 2015 and 2020 was selected for evaluation according to our filter criteria and 20 selected variables. Subsequently, we pair-wise exhaustively read the journal articles and extracted and analysed the information on the variables. We found that (1) the number of papers addressing this issue have consistently increased, (2) that most of the studies placed their study area in North America and Europe and (3) that satellite-borne multispectral sensors are the most commonly used technology, especially from Landsat mission. Finally, most of the studies focused on evaluating the impact of a specific stress or disturbance factor, whereas only a small number of studies approached forest health from an early warning perspective.
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Nitrogen Fertilization, Stand Age, and Overstory Tree Species Impact the Herbaceous Layer in a Central Appalachian Hardwood Forest. FORESTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/f12070829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Research Highlights: Herb-layer community composition, abundance, species richness, and Shannon–Wiener diversity index are shaped by nitrogen fertilization, disturbance history, and the overstory tree species in its immediate vicinity. Background and Objectives: While the herbaceous layer in deciduous forests is increasingly recognized for its importance in various aspects of forest ecosystem function, this study sought to describe the factors impacting the herbaceous layer. Specifically, this study’s objective was to quantify and compare herb-layer species composition, cover, and other community indices in watersheds with (a) different levels of N deposition, (b) different stand ages due to differing disturbance histories, and (c) different watershed aspects. This study also tested the hypothesis that herb-layer characteristics vary beneath tree species with contrasting nutrient dynamics (i.e., red and sugar maple). Materials and Methods: At the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia (USA), the cover of all herb-layer species was recorded directly under nine red maple and nine sugar maple trees in each of four watersheds (WS): long-term fertilized WS3 and unfertilized WS7, both with a stand age of about 50 years, and two unmanaged watersheds with 110-year-old stands and opposite watershed aspects (south-facing WS10, north-facing WS13). Community composition and plot-level indices of diversity were evaluated with multivariate analysis and ANOVA for watershed-level differences, effects of the maple species, and other environmental factors. Results: In the fertilized watershed (WS3), herb-layer diversity indices were lower than in the unfertilized watershed of the same stand age (WS7). In the unfertilized watershed with the 50-year-old stand (WS7), herb-layer diversity indices were higher than in the watershed with the 110-year-old stand of the same watershed aspect (WS13). WS10 and WS13 had similar herb-layer characteristics despite opposite watershed aspects. The presence of sugar maple corresponded to higher cover and diversity indices of the herb-layer in some of the watersheds. Conclusions: Despite the limitations of a case study, these findings bear relevance to future forest management since the forest herb layer plays important roles in deciduous forests through its influence on nutrient cycling, productivity, and overstory regeneration.
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Eastman BA, Adams MB, Brzostek ER, Burnham MB, Carrara JE, Kelly C, McNeil BE, Walter CA, Peterjohn WT. Altered plant carbon partitioning enhanced forest ecosystem carbon storage after 25 years of nitrogen additions. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2021; 230:1435-1448. [PMID: 33544877 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Decades of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition in the northeastern USA have enhanced this globally important forest carbon (C) sink by relieving N limitation. While many N fertilization experiments found increased forest C storage, the mechanisms driving this response at the ecosystem scale remain uncertain. Following the optimal allocation theory, augmented N availability may reduce belowground C investment by trees to roots and soil symbionts. To test this prediction and its implications on soil biogeochemistry, we constructed C and N budgets for a long-term, whole-watershed N fertilization study at the Fernow Experimental Forest, WV, USA. Nitrogen fertilization increased C storage by shifting C partitioning away from belowground components and towards aboveground woody biomass production. Fertilization also reduced the C cost of N acquisition, allowing for greater C sequestration in vegetation. Despite equal fine litter inputs, the C and N stocks and C : N ratio of the upper mineral soil were greater in the fertilized watershed, likely due to reduced decomposition of plant litter. By combining aboveground and belowground data at the watershed scale, this study demonstrates how plant C allocation responses to N additions may result in greater C storage in both vegetation and soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke A Eastman
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Life Sciences Building, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Mary B Adams
- USDA Forest Service, 180 Canfield Street, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Edward R Brzostek
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Life Sciences Building, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Mark B Burnham
- Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 1200 IGB, 1206 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Joseph E Carrara
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Life Sciences Building, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Charlene Kelly
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, 337 Percival Hall, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Brenden E McNeil
- Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, Brooks Hall, 98 Beechurst Ave., Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Christopher A Walter
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Life Sciences Building, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - William T Peterjohn
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Life Sciences Building, 53 Campus Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
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Walter JA, Stovall AEL, Atkins JW. Vegetation structural complexity and biodiversity in the Great Smoky Mountains. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A. Walter
- Department of Environmental Sciences University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia22904USA
- Ronin Institute for Independent Scholarship Montclair New Jersey07043USA
| | | | - Jeff W. Atkins
- Department of Biology Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Virginia23284USA
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