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

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Abstract

Aims

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of treefall gap size on carbon and nitrogen biogeochemistry in the Northern hardwood forest. The size of the gap controls the microclimate, particularly solar radiation, soil temperature, and soil moisture, which can alter nutrient cycling. However, in Northern hardwood forests, our understanding of the relation between biogeochemistry and gap size is incomplete.

Methods

Twelve natural treefall gaps ranging in size from 27 to 590 m2 and four control plots located under closed canopy were identified in Upper Michigan in May 2008. Concentrations of ammonium and nitrate were measured in throughfall and soil leachates; soil respiration rates were measured in soil; and nutrient pools were measured in vegetative biomass, forest floor (Oe, Oi horizons), mineral soil, and microbial biomass.

Results

Gap size was positively correlated with sapling biomass density and throughfall ammonium concentration but negatively correlated with microbial biomass, endomycorrhizal biomass, and soil respiration. Gap size was unrelated to all other parameters measured.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that in the Northern hardwood forest, vegetative recovery and a reduction in microbial biomass may limit the influence larger gaps have on nutrient cycling.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation, Hatch, and McIntire-Stennis United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. We also thank Toby Petrice Station RNA Field Representative for Dukes Research Natural Area (RNA) in the Hiawatha National Forest for his consent and technical assistance. Field and laboratory support was provided by Amy Jo Dusick, Peter Fillipi, Trent Mayr, Ravin Raatz, Matthew Schumaker, Steven Sell, and Rebecca Wright for which the authors are also grateful.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Campus Box 22, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO, 80217-3362, USA

    Sarah A. Schliemann

  2. Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin, 1525 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI, 53706-1299, USA

    James G. Bockheim

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  1. Sarah A. Schliemann
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  2. James G. Bockheim
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Correspondence to Sarah A. Schliemann.

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Responsible Editor: Stefano Manzoni.

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Schliemann, S.A., Bockheim, J.G. Influence of gap size on carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycling in Northern hardwood forests of the Upper Peninsula, Michigan. Plant Soil 377, 323–335 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-2005-5

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