Stinchfield Woods:Oak-Hickory Ecosystem

IntroductionIntroduction

►Located in southeastern MILocated in southeastern MI►Site characterized by ice-contact Site characterized by ice-contact

landform (steep kames and eskers), till landform (steep kames and eskers), till with high coarse fragment with high coarse fragment concentrationconcentration

►Highly variable soil formation linked to Highly variable soil formation linked to microsite conditions; alfisols (dark A, microsite conditions; alfisols (dark A, developed E, Bdeveloped E, Btt) at low points, entisols ) at low points, entisols (A, little/no E, subtle B) on upper slopes(A, little/no E, subtle B) on upper slopes

Intro, cont.Intro, cont.

►Overstory dominated by Overstory dominated by Carya glabra, Carya glabra, C. ovata, Quercus rubra, Q. velutinaC. ovata, Quercus rubra, Q. velutina, , with some mesic indicators on lower with some mesic indicators on lower slopes.slopes.

►Given variability of individual soil pits, Given variability of individual soil pits, will we see the basic trends continue will we see the basic trends continue through laboratory soil analyses?through laboratory soil analyses?

►Research and presentation divided into Research and presentation divided into three categories: physical, chemical, three categories: physical, chemical, and biological properties of OH soil.and biological properties of OH soil.

Physical propertiesPhysical properties

presented by Amy of Team De La Solumpresented by Amy of Team De La Solum

Physical Properties of Physical Properties of SoilSoil

Pit

SlopeAspect

& Location % Coarse Fragments

Soil Texture (assigned in field)

Available Water

Content(cm3 water/cm3 soil)

Bulk Density(Mg/m3)

1SW

Top-slopeA 1%, B 20%, C 30% Loamy Sand 0.06 1.19

2NW

Top-slopeN/A  Sandy Loam 0.25 1.0305

3North

Mid-slopeA 10%, E 15%, Bt 80%, C 85%

Loam 0.23 1.16

4SE

Mid-slopeA 20%, E 30%, Bt 40%,

B 50%, C 95%Loam/

Sandy Loam0.49 1.43

5NE

Mid-slopeA 1%, E 5%, Bt 10%,

C 25%Sandy Loam 0.28 0.86

Field Observations and Lab Field Observations and Lab CalculationsCalculations

presented bypresented by AmyAmy RingRing of team De La De La SolumSolum

Soil Profile Field ObservationsSoil Profile Field Observations

Connecting Physical Properties to Soil Connecting Physical Properties to Soil GenesisGenesis

► Parent Material, Topography, and Climate:Parent Material, Topography, and Climate: Soil Formation Factors Influencing Soil Texture

► Soil Texture:Soil Texture: Impact on Bulk Density and Available Water Content

Chemical propertiesChemical properties

presented by Brian of Duripan Duripanpresented by Brian of Duripan Duripan

Across EcosystemsAcross Ecosystems

OH MO NO NH

Ecosystem

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

%B

ase

Sat

ura

tio

nOH MO NO NH

Site

0.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

Val

ue

CE

C (

cmo

lc/k

g)

Stinchfield Woods is predominantly Sandy Loam (15-20% clay)

Across Ecosystems, cont.Across Ecosystems, cont.

OH MO NO NH

Ecosystem

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

5.00

5.50

6.00

Mea

n p

H

LinkagesLinkages

►CEC influenced by clay content, organic CEC influenced by clay content, organic matter, and declines with acidification.matter, and declines with acidification.

►Base saturation buffers against Base saturation buffers against acidification & most effective in soils acidification & most effective in soils with high CEC.with high CEC.

►pH influenced by respired COpH influenced by respired CO22, organic , organic acids, applied fertilizer, and acid rain.acids, applied fertilizer, and acid rain. Cascading effects on biota and soil nutrients Cascading effects on biota and soil nutrients

(Nitrifying microbes? Leaching?) (Nitrifying microbes? Leaching?)

Biological propertiesBiological properties

presented by Tao of Fine Young Entisols presented by Tao of Fine Young Entisols and Emily of Soil Coughingand Emily of Soil Coughing

Soil Microbial Biomass & Nitrogen Cycling

• Soil Microbial Biomass & Microbial Soil Microbial Biomass & Microbial RespirationRespiration• Nitrogen Mineralization and NitrificationNitrogen Mineralization and Nitrification• How plant and microbial activities How plant and microbial activities interactinteract through the exchange of C and through the exchange of C and N.N.

Microbial BiomassMicrobial Biomass- Soil microorganisms are generally C Soil microorganisms are generally C

limitedlimited

- Organic matter comes from above- Organic matter comes from above- and below- ground production of plant and below- ground production of plant litter and dead microbial biomass.litter and dead microbial biomass.

- Measure microbial respiration to Measure microbial respiration to calculate original microbial biomass calculate original microbial biomass (fumigated / control)(fumigated / control)

    

  Soil Texture AWC (cm3 H2O/cm3 soil)

pH (CaCl2) OM %

Mixed-Oak Loam 0.380 5.712 3.918

Oak-Hickory Sandy Loam 0.262 5.338 4.720

N. Hardwoods Loamy Sand 0.183 3.855 3.020

N.Oak Sand 0.235 3.463 2.058

  Microb.Biomass

(gC/m2)

Microb. Resp.

(mg/g/d)

Specific Resp.

N Min.(g N/m2/d)

N Nit.(g N/m2/d)

C Resp./N Min.

Mixed-Oak 17.504 25.260 187.173 0.632 0.212 5.183

Oak-Hickory 9.153 26.038 647.996 0.210 0.007 14.890

N. Hardwoods 12.996 25.046 199.652 0.362 0.193 7.168

N.Oak 2.970 11.538 474.375 0.126 0.003 11.154

Cont.Cont.- Low microbial biomass under high Soil Low microbial biomass under high Soil

OM condition can be explained by high OM condition can be explained by high Specific Respiration.Specific Respiration.

- Specific Respiration is a better indicator Specific Respiration is a better indicator of microbial physiological activity, of microbial physiological activity, rather than general respiration rate rather than general respiration rate (per unit of soil)(per unit of soil)

- High specific respiration indicates a less High specific respiration indicates a less efficient microbial community.efficient microbial community.

N Mineralization & N Mineralization & NitrificationNitrification

Factors controlling N cycling: Factors controlling N cycling:

1.1.Litter production, aboveground + Litter production, aboveground + belowgroundbelowground

2.2.Chemical composition of litterChemical composition of litter

3.3.Numbers and types of microorganismsNumbers and types of microorganisms

4.4.Physical factors (temp. and moisture)Physical factors (temp. and moisture)

Mineralization & Nitrification Mineralization & Nitrification Cont.Cont.

• N Mineralization: N Mineralization:

R-NHR-NH33 + H + H22O = R-OH + NHO = R-OH + NH44++

• Nitrification: Nitrification:

Assimilated by plants

NH4+

Ion exchange reaction

Oxidized to NO3- (nitrification)

NH4+ NO2

- NO3-

O2O2

EnergyEnergyH+

    

  Soil Texture AWC (cm3 H2O/cm3 soil)

pH (CaCl2) OM %

Mixed-Oak Loam 0.380 5.712 3.918

Oak-Hickory Sandy Loam 0.262 5.338 4.720

N. Hardwoods Loamy Sand 0.183 3.855 3.020

N.Oak Sand 0.235 3.463 2.058

  Microb.Biomass

(gC/m2)

Microb. Resp.

(mg/g/d)

Specific Resp.

N Min.(g N/m2/d)

N Nit.(g N/m2/d)

C Resp./N Min.

Mixed-Oak 17.504 25.260 187.173 0.632 0.212 5.183

Oak-Hickory 9.153 26.038 647.996 0.210 0.007 14.890

N. Hardwoods 12.996 25.046 199.652 0.362 0.193 7.168

N.Oak 2.970 11.538 474.375 0.126 0.003 11.154

Mineralization & Nitrification Mineralization & Nitrification Cont.Cont.

• N mineralization & Nitrification are relatively N mineralization & Nitrification are relatively low due to less microbial biomass. low due to less microbial biomass.

• Very high C respiration/N mineralization Very high C respiration/N mineralization indicates poor leaf litter quality (microbes indicates poor leaf litter quality (microbes interact with plants: microbes uptake C from interact with plants: microbes uptake C from plant litter and release N for plants to uptake). plant litter and release N for plants to uptake).

• Although fairly neutral (slightly acidic, 5.98-Although fairly neutral (slightly acidic, 5.98-6.47) and well aerated environment, 6.47) and well aerated environment, nitrification is low.nitrification is low.

• Most of NHMost of NH44+ + is uptake by plants or attached to is uptake by plants or attached to

negative charged CEC complex system (clayey negative charged CEC complex system (clayey and OM rich in OH) before being nitrifiedand OM rich in OH) before being nitrified

Not shown by the lab data, but Not shown by the lab data, but important to keep in mind:important to keep in mind:

• Very high percentage of coarse Very high percentage of coarse fragments, which dilute all the soil fragments, which dilute all the soil properties at an ecosystem level:properties at an ecosystem level:- Discount AWCDiscount AWC- Discount nutrient availabilityDiscount nutrient availability- Discount soil OM contentDiscount soil OM content

100%100%

56%56%

18%18%

3030%%

Southwesterlywind

sunlight

Slope aspect

Pits 1 to 5 are in order from the least weathered to the most weathered. But soil microbial activities and processes are not consistent with this trend.

Aspect

OM%

Bulk Density

Micr. Biomass (gC/m2)

Micr. Resp. (ug/g/d)

Specific Resp. (mg/g/d)

N Min. (g N/m2/d)

Nitrifica-tion (g N/m2/d)

C Resp./ N Min

Pit 1-SW Top

1.73% 1.19 3.93 22.41

678.16 0.178 0.0038

14.981

Pit 2-NW Top4.23%

1.0305 1.44 25.90

1850.00 0.320 0.0006 8.355

Pit 3 -North Mid

6.57% 1.16 18.62 33.70

210.84 0.176 0.0058

22.318

Pit 4 - SE Mid6.42% 1.43 13.10 23.21

253.68 0.194 0.0080

17.133

Pit 5 - NE Mid

4.65% 0.86 8.67 24.97

247.31 0.182 0.019

11.663

Ecosystem C and nutrient Ecosystem C and nutrient pools…pools…

““More carbon is stored in the world’s More carbon is stored in the world’s soils than in the world’s plant biomass soils than in the world’s plant biomass

and atmosphere combined.”and atmosphere combined.”

►Ecosystem biomass is the dry mass of Ecosystem biomass is the dry mass of living and non-living tissue within an living and non-living tissue within an ecosystem ecosystem

►Biomass can be measured by Biomass can be measured by quantifying quantifying OM (47% C) the nutrient poolsOM (47% C) the nutrient pools

►The amount of OM accumulation in soil The amount of OM accumulation in soil is driven by microbial respiration and is driven by microbial respiration and ultimately NPP ultimately NPP

►NPP controls the flow of energy and NPP controls the flow of energy and nutrients in terrestrial ecosystemsnutrients in terrestrial ecosystems

►NPP = GPP – RNPP = GPP – Raa

►GPP – the amount of C fixed by plants GPP – the amount of C fixed by plants on an ecosystem baseson an ecosystem bases

►RA – Carbon dioxide lost during repair RA – Carbon dioxide lost during repair of enzymes and used in ion uptakeof enzymes and used in ion uptake

►NEP - net annual increment of all NEP - net annual increment of all biomass on an ecosystem basis biomass on an ecosystem basis accounting for (Raccounting for (Rhh) the respiration of ) the respiration of heterotrophic respiration. heterotrophic respiration.

1. Above & belowground portions of 1. Above & belowground portions of over & under story trees over & under story trees

2. Mineral soil (Top 10 cm)2. Mineral soil (Top 10 cm)

3. Forest floor3. Forest floor

4. Woody debris4. Woody debris

5. Tissue of heterotrophic organisms 5. Tissue of heterotrophic organisms

Five Major Nutrient Pools Five Major Nutrient Pools in Forest Ecosystemsin Forest Ecosystems

Biomass Pools in an Oak Hickory Forest Ecosystem

0

50

100

150

200

250

Above Ground Forest Floor Soil Carbon

Location of Organic Matter Measurments

Mas

s o

f S

oil

Org

anic

M

atte

r (M

g/h

a) De La Solum

Soil Coughing

Duripan Duripan

Möttley Hüe

Fine Young Entisols

Team Above Ground Forest Floor Soil Carbon

De La Solum 102.44 15.44 39.99

Soil Coughing 96.53 11.11 43.59

Duripan Duripan 172.42 7.5 76.59

Möttley Hüe 111.4 3.033 20.59

Fine Young Entisols 226.37 6.49 91.93

Nitrogen Pools in an Oak Hickory Forest Ecosystem

0

500

1000

1500

2000

Above Ground Forest Floor Soil Nitrogen

Location of Nitrogen Measurments

Am

ou

nt

of

Nit

rog

en (

kg

N

/ha)

De La Solum

Soil Coughing

Duripan Duripan

Möttley Hüe

Fine Young Entisols

Team Above Ground Forest Floor Soil Nitrogen

De La Solum 211.5 10.03 1032.0

Soil Coughing 196.57 72.243 1236.6

Duripan Duripan 378.66 49 1398

Möttley Hüe 236.55 19.71 1428

Fine Young Entisols 486.28 42.21 1718.4

►Temperature and precipitation drive Temperature and precipitation drive biomass productivitybiomass productivity

►More weathered soils would be More weathered soils would be expected to have a higher amount of expected to have a higher amount of OM and N OM and N

►Soils with a more loamy texture had a Soils with a more loamy texture had a higher amount of organic matter and a higher amount of organic matter and a higher amount of nitrogen higher amount of nitrogen

SummarySummary

►Factors influencing OH soil formation:Factors influencing OH soil formation:

1.1. Climate (microsite variation Climate (microsite variationdif. dif. profiles)profiles)

2.2. Living organisms Living organisms

3.3. Parent material Parent material

4.4. Topography (strong influence on Topography (strong influence on climate)climate)

5.5. Time (looking at top sites similar to Time (looking at top sites similar to looking back in time!)looking back in time!)

►2 factors constant: PM and time.2 factors constant: PM and time.

►OH site as microcosm of class OH site as microcosm of class concepts; soil formation depends on concepts; soil formation depends on local conditions over long periods of local conditions over long periods of time, soil characteristics exert strong time, soil characteristics exert strong influence on biota & ecosystem influence on biota & ecosystem dynamics.dynamics.

the end.