Increases in tree growth and nutrient supply still apparent 10 to 13 years following fertilization and vegetation control of salal-dominated cedar–hemlock stands on Vancouver Island

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1516-1524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer N Bennett ◽  
Leandra L Blevins ◽  
John E Barker ◽  
David P Blevins ◽  
Cindy E Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
P Fertilization ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Total N ◽  
Vegetation Control

Cedar–hemlock forests on Vancouver Island are primarily nitrogen limited and characterized by an under story dominated by the ericaceous shrub salal (Gaultheria shallon Pursh.). In 1984, an experiment was established on regenerating cedar–hemlock forests to determine the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus (N + P) fertilization and vegetation control on conifer growth. It was hypothesized that these treatments would not only stimulate tree growth, but also improve nutrient supply, stand productivity, and site quality. To test this hypothesis, tree height growth, canopy closure, salal biomass, foliar and forest floor N and P concentrations, and seedling growth on forest floor were measured 10–13 years after treatment. Both salal control and fertilization increased tree growth and canopy cover, and reduced salal biomass. However, only fertilized plots showed changes in site quality measurable 10–13 years following N + P application. Hemlock foliar P concentrations, forest floor total N and P levels, and hemlock height increments were higher in these plots. Forest floors from the fertilized plots also supported greater growth of conifer seedlings. These results suggest that sustained changes to site quality may be achieved with N + P fertilization of cedar–hemlock forests.

How do natural disturbances and human activities affect soils and tree nutrition and growth in the Canadian boreal forest?

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.G. Maynard ◽  
D. Paré ◽  
E. Thiffault ◽  
B. Lafleur ◽  
K.E. Hogg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Natural Disturbances ◽  
Boreal Zone ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
P Fertilization ◽  
Total N ◽  
Multiple Disturbances ◽  
Tree Nutrition

There are concerns about the effect of increasing resource extraction and other human activities on the soils and vegetation of the boreal zone. The review covers published papers between 1974 and 2012 to assess the effects of natural disturbances and human activities on soils and tree nutrition and growth of the Canadian boreal zone. Changes in soil and foliar nutrients following disturbance were also analyzed by meta-analysis. When sufficient replicated studies were not available for a given disturbance or nutrient, response assessments or narrative summaries are presented. The majority of fertilization studies in the boreal zone showed a positive tree growth response to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization either individually or in combination. Large amounts of N may be lost through volatilization following fire depending on the severity and frequency of the fire. This may contribute to N limitation in the boreal zone. Available soil P and extractable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) increased in the surface horizons following fire. In contrast, extractable P decreased following harvest. Harvesting had no effect on total or inorganic N except in mixedwoods where total N decreased in the surface organic horizon following harvest. These are potential areas of concern given tree growth responses to N and P fertilization. Potassium (K) in the forest floor did not change following fire or harvesting; thus, K availability for tree nutrition should not be at risk, since its cycle is rapidly restored. Mercury (Hg) cycling may be altered in the boreal zone as a result of flooding and if fire return intervals and intensities increase. Interactions of multiple disturbances may increase the risk of nutrient depletions, but there is currently little information on these interactions in the boreal zone. Evidence to date suggests the soils of the Canadian boreal zone have not been adversely affected except in localized areas. However, there is the risk of nutrient loss if soils are not considered in our forest management strategies, particularly where multiple disturbances may interact. The potential for off-site movement of nutrients and contaminants into the atmospheric and aquatic ecosystems, in addition to on-site environmental issues, is also a concern.

Availability of nitrogen and phosphorus in the forest floors of Rocky Mountain coniferous forests

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 593-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy E. Prescott ◽  
John P. Corbin ◽  
Dennis Parkinson
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Ammonium Phosphate ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Supply Rate ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Forest Floors ◽  
P Supply ◽  
Floor Material

Nutrient supply rate and limitation were measured in forest floors of lodgepole pine, white spruce–lodgepole pine, and Engelmann spruce–subalpine fir (pine, spruce, and fir forests, respectively) forests in the Kananaskis Valley of southwestern Alberta. Earlier analyses of the nutrient content of foliage and litter indicated low N and P supply in the pine forest, high P supply in the spruce forest, and high N–low P supply in the fir forest. Measurements of nutrient supply (insitu rates of net mineralization, extractable P, and uptake of N and P from the forest floor in pot trials) confirmed the differences in N and P supply among the forests and indicated that nutrient concentrations in needle litter were useful as an index of nutrient supply rate. Subtractive tests were useful in identifying the most limiting nutrients in each forest: lodgepole pine seedlings grown in forest floor material from the pine and spruce stands responded with increased growth to the addition of N; those in fir forest floor material responded to P addition. Vector analysis of N and P concentrations and contents in needles from trees fertilized with ammonium phosphate sulphate showed responses to both N and P in the pine site, no response at the spruce site, and response to P at the fir site.

The effect of forest floor manipulation on nitrogen status and tree growth in an eastern Ontario jack pine ecosystem

1985 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Weber ◽  
I. R. Methven ◽  
C. E. Van Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Complete Removal ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Untreated Plot ◽  
Soil Effects ◽  
Eastern Ontario

Four forest floor manipulation treatments were applied to an eastern Ontario jack pine (Pinusbanksiana Lamb.) ecosystem. These included a one-time complete removal of the forest floor to mineral soil; annual removal of the total forest floor to mineral soil; one-time removal of the forest floor, ashing of the material, and broadcast spreading of the ash onto exposed mineral soil; and an untreated control. Eight years after treatment radial tree growth on the treated plots showed a 30% reduction compared with the untreated plot. Annual removal of the forest floor caused most severe nitrogen depletion in jack pine foliage, forest floor, and mineral soil. Effects of one-time removal and burning treatments were less severe, but significant. Any interference with the normal buildup of the forest floor during stand development should be avoided if site quality is to be maintained for tree growth.

Vertical fine root distributions of western redcedar, western hemlock, and salal in old-growth cedar–hemlock forests on northern Vancouver Island

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 1208-1216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer N Bennett ◽  
Ben Andrew ◽  
Cindy E Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Total N ◽  
Western Redcedar ◽  
Vertical Distributions

The vertical distributions of fine roots of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don), and salal (Gaultheria shallon Pursh) were characterized in old-growth cedar–hemlock forests on northern Vancouver Island. Total biomasses of cedar, hemlock, and salal roots in the forest floor and upper mineral soil were 817, 620, and 187 g·m–2, respectively. Hemlock and salal fine roots were concentrated in the upper forest floor, while cedar fine roots were evenly distributed through the profile. Salal and hemlock fine root densities (g·m–3) in the forest floor and mineral soil were positively correlated, as were salal and cedar root biomass distributions (g·m–2). Only salal and hemlock root densities were significantly correlated with N concentrations. Hemlock root densities were negatively correlated with total N, and salal root densities were negatively correlated with total N and soluble organic N. Based on fine root densities, hemlock and salal probably compete for resources in the upper forest floor, whereas cedar accesses resources in the lower organic and mineral soil horizons. The differences in the vertical distributions of cedar, hemlock, and salal fine roots may partly explain the co-occurrence and different productivities of the three species in cedar-hemlock forests.

scholarly journals Nitrogen and Phosphorus Uptake Efficiency and Partitioning of Container-grown Azalea During Spring Growth

2007 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
pp. 563-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew G. Ristvey ◽  
John D. Lea-Cox ◽  
David S. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Uptake ◽  
Optimal Growth ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
P Fertilization ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Total N ◽  
Uptake Efficiency ◽  
Fertilization Rates

The influence of fertilization rate on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrient partitioning and uptake efficiency of young, container-grown azalea (Rhododendron L. ‘Karen’) was determined under controlled greenhouse conditions during Spring 2001 and 2002. In 2001, fertilizer treatments included a factorial combination of two N (25 or 250 mg/week) and three P (0, 5, or 25 mg/week) rates; in 2002, an additional N rate (100 mg/week) was included in the experimental design. Five destructive harvests were performed during each study; plant tissues (root, stem, primary and secondary branches and leaves) from each harvest were analyzed to derive total N and P uptake. Leachates from containers were monitored and analyzed weekly to calculate nitrate (NO3-N), ammonium (NH4-N), and orthophosphate (PO4-P) loss. Fertilization rates of 5 mg P per week in 2001 and rates of 100 mg N per week and 5 mg P per week in 2002 maintained optimal growth compared with the highest fertilization rates (250 mg N and 25 mg P per week) in these studies. Increasing N fertilization rate largely promoted shoot growth, whereas decreasing N and P fertilization rates promoted root growth and increased uptake efficiency. In general, increasing N and P fertilization rates increased nutrient N and P leaching from the pine bark substrate. Reducing excess N and P fertilization to match plant growth requirements of young azalea increases nutrient uptake efficiency and reduces nutrient loss to the environment.

scholarly journals Preplant Monoammonium Phosphate Fertilizer and Compost Affects the Growth of Newly Planted 'Macoun' Apple Trees

HortScience ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renae E. Moran ◽  
James R. Schupp
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Phosphate Fertilizer ◽  
P Fertilization ◽  
Monoammonium Phosphate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Foliar Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Potassium

'Macoun'/Budagovsky 9 apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) trees were planted in May 1998 in one of four preplant treatments that were soil incorporation of: 1) control, no phosphorus (P); 2) 90 g P per tree; 3) 128 kg compost per tree; and 4) 90 g P and 128 kg compost per tree. Preplant addition of P had no effect on soil organic matter, P, magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) in the first three seasons after planting, but lowered soil potassium (K) in the second season. Foliar nutrients, tree growth and flowering were also not affected by P. The addition of compost increased soil organic matter and P in the first season after planting, and pH, K, Mg, and Ca in the first three seasons. The addition of compost increased foliar nitrogen and K in all three seasons, and decreased foliar Mg in the first season. Compost incorporation increased shoot length in the first season, trunk cross-sectional area in the first two seasons, tree height and the number of growing points in third season, and flowering in the third and fourth seasons. Compost addition was more effective than P fertilization for increasing tree growth during the establishment years.

Influence of increased nutrient supply on Microcystis aeruginosa at cellular and proteomic levels

2020 ◽  
Vol 85 ◽  
pp. 47-58
Author(s):  
Y Jiang ◽  
Y Liu
Keyword(s):  
Microcystis Aeruginosa ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Acid Synthesis ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Nitrogen Supply ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Comprehensive Description ◽  
Amino Acid Synthesis ◽  
High Nutrient ◽  
Proteomic Responses

Various studies have observed that increased nutrient supply promotes the growth of bloom-forming cyanobacteria, but only a limited number of studies have investigated the influence of increased nutrient supply on bloom-forming cyanobacteria at the proteomic level. We investigated the cellular and proteomic responses of Microcystis aeruginosa to elevated nitrogen and phosphorus supply. Increased supply of both nutrients significantly promoted the growth of M. aeruginosa and the synthesis of chlorophyll a, protein, and microcystins. The release of microcystins and the synthesis of polysaccharides negatively correlated with the growth of M. aeruginosa under high nutrient levels. Overexpressed proteins related to photosynthesis, and amino acid synthesis, were responsible for the stimulatory effects of increased nutrient supply in M. aeruginosa. Increased nitrogen supply directly promoted cyanobacterial growth by inducing the overexpression of the cell division regulatory protein FtsZ. NtcA, that regulates gene transcription related to both nitrogen assimilation and microcystin synthesis, was overexpressed under the high nitrogen condition, which consequently induced overexpression of 2 microcystin synthetases (McyC and McyF) and promoted microcystin synthesis. Elevated nitrogen supply induced the overexpression of proteins involved in gas vesicle organization (GvpC and GvpW), which may increase the buoyancy of M. aeruginosa. Increased phosphorus level indirectly affected growth and the synthesis of cellular substances in M. aeruginosa through the mediation of differentially expressed proteins related to carbon and phosphorus metabolism. This study provides a comprehensive description of changes in the proteome of M. aeruginosa in response to an increased supply of 2 key nutrients.

scholarly journals A Dynamic Stand Growth Model System for Loblolly Pine Responding to Mid-Rotation Treatments

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 556
Author(s):  
Mauricio Zapata-Cuartas ◽  
Bronson P. Bullock ◽  
Cristian R. Montes ◽  
Michael B. Kane
Keyword(s):  
Growth Model ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Model System ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Site Quality ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Plantation Management ◽  
Vegetation Control ◽  
Dominant Height

Intensive loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation management in the southeastern United States includes mid-rotation silvicultural practices (MRSP) like thinning, fertilization, competitive vegetation control, and their combinations. Consistent and well-designed long-term studies considering interactions of MRSP are required to produce accurate projections and evaluate management decisions. Here we use longitudinal data from the regional Mid-Rotation Treatment study established by the Plantation Management Research Cooperative (PMRC) at the University of Georgia across the southeast U.S. to fit and validate a new dynamic model system rooted in theoretical and biological principles. A Weibull pdf was used as a modifier function coupled with the basal area growth model. The growth model system and error projection functions were estimated simultaneously. The new formulation results in a compatible and consistent growth and yield system and provides temporal responses to treatment. The results indicated that the model projections reproduce the observed behavior of stand characteristics. The model has high predictive accuracy (the cross-validation variance explained was 96.2%, 99.7%, and 98.6%; and the prediction root mean square distance was 0.704 m, 19.1 trees ha−1, and 1.03 m2ha−1 for dominant height (DH), trees per hectare (N), and basal area (BA), respectively), and can be used to project the current stand attributes following combinations of MRSP and with different thinning intensities. Simulations across southern physiographic regions allow us to conclude that the most overall ranking of MRSP after thinning is fertilization + competitive vegetation control (Fert + CVC) > fertilization only (Fert) > competitive vegetation control only (CVC), and Fert + CVC show less than additive effect. Because of the model structure, the response to treatment changes with location, age of application, and dominant height growth as indicators of site quality. Therefore, the proposed model adequately represents regional growth conditions.

scholarly journals Evidence of Phosphate Mining and Agriculture Influence on Concentrations, Forms, and Ratios of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in a Florida River

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1064
Author(s):  
Shuiwang Duan ◽  
Kamaljit Banger ◽  
Gurpal S. Toor
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Water Discharge ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Specific Conductance ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Total N ◽  
Phosphate Mining ◽  
Molar Ratios

Florida has a long history of phosphate-mining, but less is known about how mining affects nutrient exports to coastal waters. Here, we investigated the transport of inorganic and organic forms of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) over 23 sampling events during a wet season (June–September) in primary tributaries and mainstem of Alafia River that drains into the Tampa Bay Estuary. Results showed that a tributary draining the largest phosphate-mining area (South Prong) had less flashy peaks, and nutrients were more evenly exported relative to an adjacent tributary (North Prong), highlighting the effectiveness of the mining reclamation on stream hydrology. Tributaries draining > 10% phosphate-mining area had significantly higher specific conductance (SC), pH, dissolved reactive P (DRP), and total P (TP) than tributaries without phosphate-mining. Further, mean SC, pH, and particulate reactive P were positively correlated with the percent phosphate-mining area. As phosphate-mining occurred in the upper part of the watershed, the SC, pH, DRP, and TP concentrations increased downstream along the mainstem. For example, the upper watershed contributed 91% of TP compared to 59% water discharge to the Alafia River. In contrast to P, the highest concentrations of total N (TN), especially nitrate + nitrite (NOx–N) occurred in agricultural tributaries, where the mean NOx–N was positively correlated with the percent agricultural land. Dissolved organic N was dominant in all streamwaters and showed minor variability across sites. As a result of N depletion and P enrichment, the phosphate-mining tributaries had significantly lower molar ratios of TN:TP and NOx–N:DRP than other tributaries. Bi-weekly monitoring data showed consistent increases in SC and DRP and a decrease in NOx–N at the South Prong tributary (highest phosphate-mining area) throughout the wet season, and different responses of dissolved inorganic nutrients (negative) and particulate nutrients (positive) to water discharge. We conclude that (1) watersheds with active and reclaimed phosphate-mining and agriculture lands are important sources of streamwater P and N, respectively, and (2) elevated P inputs from the phosphate-mining areas altered the N:P ratios in streamwaters of the Alafia River.

Mass and nutrient content of woody debris and forest floor in western red cedar and western hemlock forests on northern Vancouver Island

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1052-1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney J. Keenan ◽  
Cindy E. Prescott ◽  
J.P. Hamish Kimmins
Keyword(s):  
Forest Floor ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Red Cedar ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Western Red Cedar

Biomass and C, N, P, and K contents of woody debris and the forest floor were surveyed in adjacent stands of old-growth western red cedar (Thujaplicata Donn)–western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) (CH type), and 85-year-old, windstorm-derived, second-growth western hemlock–amabilis fir (Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forbes) (HA type) at three sites on northern Vancouver Island. Carbon concentrations were relatively constant across all detrital categories (mean = 556.8 mg/g); concentrations of N and P generally increased, and K generally decreased, with increasing degree of decomposition. The mean mass of woody debris was 363 Mg/ha in the CH and 226 Mg/ha in the HA type. The mean forest floor mass was 280 Mg/ha in the CH and 211 Mg/ha in the HA stands. Approximately 60% of the forest floor mass in each forest type was decaying wood. Dead woody material above and within the forest floor represented a significant store of biomass and nutrients in both forest types, containing 82% of the aboveground detrital biomass, 51–59% of the N, and 58–61% of the detrital P. Forest floors in the CH and HA types contained similar total quantities of N, suggesting that the lower N availability in CH forests is not caused by greater immobilization in detritus. The large accumulation of forest floor and woody debris in this region is attributed to slow decomposition in the cool, wet climate, high rates of detrital input following windstorms, and the large size and decay resistance of western red cedar boles.

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