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Pawlik Ł, Gałązka A, Gruba P, Marzec-Grządziel A, Szopa K, Kupka D, Buma B, Šamonil P. High-resolution soil sampling reveals the pattern of biological weathering and soil formation under trees. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 941:173725. [PMID: 38844241 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Trees contribute to bedrock weathering in a variety of ways. However, evaluating their full impact is complicated by a lack of direct observation of unexposed root systems of individual trees, especially when the scale of the analysis goes down to the level of microbiomes. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of tree root systems to bioweathering and soil production at the macro- and microscale. Soil profiles developed under trees on granite bedrock were investigated in two parts of the Sudety Mountains, SW Poland: the Rudawy Janowickie Mountains, and the Stołowe Mountains. Soil profiles were gradually excavated and soil samples collected from pre-defined positions of the root zone: 1) bulk soil, 2) rhizosphere, 3) cracks, 4) topsoil, and 5) control positions. In total, we analyzed 103 samples for soil chemistry and microbiological activity. In addition, we analyzed 19 samples using XRF (X-ray Fluorescence). Four parent rock samples, in the form of thin-sections, were the subject of mineralogical evaluation. Soil analyses included: total organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, soil pHH2O, soluble iron (Fed), and aluminum (Ald), non-crystalline (amorphous) iron (Feox), and aluminum (Alox). For microbiological analyses, we used a Biolog (EcoPlate) system to determine the functional diversity of soil microorganisms. We evaluated the results on soil chemistry and microbiological activity statistically by principal component analysis (PCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA). Differences between soil sampling positions were assessed using a non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis (K-W) rank sum test and a post-hoc pairwise Dunn test. Trees developed different root architectures, likely shaped by the depth to bedrock and its pre-existing net of fractures and fissures. Tree roots were able to enter bedrock cracks at one study site (at Pstrążna, Stołowe Mountains). The soil profile was too deep for root system penetration at the second study site (Mt Jańska, Rudawy Janowickie Mountains, RJM). The rhizospheric soil along the roots had significantly different chemical properties compared to non-rhizospheric soil types. At Mt. Jańska, soil differed from the crack soil in terms of Alox (pHolm-adj. < 0.0006) and Feox (pHolm-adj. < 0.004), and from the bulk soil (pHolm-adj. < 0.02) and topsoil (pHolm-adj. < 0.007). In addition, at Pstrążna, the soil differed from the control soil in terms of C (pHolm-adj. < 0.009) and soil pHH2O (pHolm-adj. < 0.0008) and from the topsoil in terms of soil pHH2O. The highest metabolic activity was in cracks at Mt. Jańska and in control samples from Pstrążna. In general, the spatial distribution of soil microbial activity, and the weathering that results from that portion of the soil biome, is spatially heterogeneous and appears to be partially determined by the interaction of root growth and bedrock fracture patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Pawlik
- Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, ul. Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; Department of Forest Ecology, The Silva Tarouca Research Institute, Lidicka 25/27, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Anna Gałązka
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation - State Research Institute, Czartoryskich St. 8, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
| | - Piotr Gruba
- Department of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Marzec-Grządziel
- Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation - State Research Institute, Czartoryskich St. 8, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Szopa
- Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, ul. Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Dawid Kupka
- Department of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland
| | - Brian Buma
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA; Environmental Defense Fund, 2060 Broadway St, Ste 300, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
| | - Pavel Šamonil
- Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, ul. Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; Department of Forest Ecology, The Silva Tarouca Research Institute, Lidicka 25/27, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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The Tongass National Forest, Southeast Alaska, USA: A Natural Climate Solution of Global Significance. LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11050717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The 6.7 M ha Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska, USA, supports a world-class salmon fishery, is one of the world’s most intact temperate rainforests, and is recognized for exceptional levels of carbon stored in woody biomass. We quantified biomass and soil organic carbon (C) by land use designation, Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs), young and productive old-growth forests (POGs), and 77 priority watersheds. We used published timber harvest volumes (roundwood) to estimate C stock change across five time periods from early historical (1909–1951) through future (2022–2100). Total soil organic and woody biomass C in the Tongass was 2.7 Pg, representing ~20% of the total forest C stock in the entire national forest system, the equivalent of 1.5 times the 2019 US greenhouse gas emissions. IRAs account for just over half the C, with 48% stored in POGs. Nearly 15% of all C is within T77 watersheds, >80% of which overlaps with IRAs, with half of that overlapping with POGs. Young growth accounted for only ~5% of the total C stock. Nearly two centuries of historical and projected logging would release an estimated 69.5 Mt CO2e, equivalent to the cumulative emissions of ~15 million vehicles. Previously logged forests within IRAs should be allowed to recover carbon stock via proforestation. Tongass old growth, IRAs, and priority watersheds deserve stepped-up protection as natural climate solutions.
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Hoffman KM, Starzomski BM, Lertzman KP, Giesbrecht IJW, Trant AJ. Old‐growth forest structure in a low‐productivity hypermaritime rainforest in coastal British Columbia, Canada. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kira M. Hoffman
- Hakai Institute P.O. Box 309 Heriot Bay British ColumbiaV0P 1H0Canada
- School of Environmental Studies University of Victoria 3800 Finnerty Road Victoria British ColumbiaV8P 5C2Canada
- Bulkley Valley Research Centre P.O. Box 4274 Smithers British ColumbiaV0J 2N0Canada
- School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability University of Waterloo 200 University Avenue West Waterloo OntarioN2L 3G1Canada
| | - Brian M. Starzomski
- Hakai Institute P.O. Box 309 Heriot Bay British ColumbiaV0P 1H0Canada
- School of Environmental Studies University of Victoria 3800 Finnerty Road Victoria British ColumbiaV8P 5C2Canada
| | - Ken P. Lertzman
- Hakai Institute P.O. Box 309 Heriot Bay British ColumbiaV0P 1H0Canada
- School of Resource and Environmental Management Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive Burnaby British ColumbiaV5A 1S6Canada
| | - Ian J. W. Giesbrecht
- Hakai Institute P.O. Box 309 Heriot Bay British ColumbiaV0P 1H0Canada
- School of Resource and Environmental Management Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive Burnaby British ColumbiaV5A 1S6Canada
| | - Andrew J. Trant
- Hakai Institute P.O. Box 309 Heriot Bay British ColumbiaV0P 1H0Canada
- School of Environmental Studies University of Victoria 3800 Finnerty Road Victoria British ColumbiaV8P 5C2Canada
- School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability University of Waterloo 200 University Avenue West Waterloo OntarioN2L 3G1Canada
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