How climatic conditions, site, and soil characteristics affect tree growth and critical loads of nitrogen for northeastern tree species

Robin-Abbott, Molly J.; Pardo, Linda H.

doi:10.2737/nrs-gtr-172

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 114 publications

(162 reference statements)

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“…For example, soil measurements are taken at a shallow measurement depth (30 cm) and mature stand tree roots will be much deeper (>60 cm); this could result in lower effects to the modeled predictions. Additionally, other soil metrics (e.g., soil base saturation, exchangeable calcium), which are not directly available across the full FIA panel, could provide more predictive capability for pH as these will have a direct effect on the acid–base status or calcium status of soils (Robin‐Abbott & Pardo, 2017; Sullivan et al, 2013). Generally, soil conditions were minimally correlated (<±0.4) with other mediating factors so the limitation of our selected soil metrics is likely attributable to dataset constraints rather than multi‐collinearity issues with other predictors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing localized nitrogen sensitivity of tree species and the associated influences of mediating factors

Coughlin,

Chang,

Craig

et al. 2024

Ecosphere

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Critical loads (CLs) are frequently used to quantify terrestrial ecosystem impacts from nitrogen (N) deposition using ecological responses such as the growth and mortality of tree species. Typically, CLs are reported as a single value, with uncertainty, for an indicator across a species' entire range. Mediating factors such as climate and soil conditions can influence species' sensitivity to N, but the magnitudes of these effects are rarely calculated explicitly. Here, we quantify the spatial variability and estimation error in N CLs for the growth and survival of 10 different tree species while accounting for key environmental factors that mediate species sensitivity to N (e.g., soil characteristics). We used a bootstrapped machine learning approach to determine the level of N deposition at which a 1% decrease occurs in growth rate or survival probability at forest plot locations across the United States. We found minimal differences (<5 kg N ha−1 year−1) when comparing a single species' CLs across climatic regimes but found considerable variability in species' local N CLs (>8.5 kg N ha−1 year−1) within these regimes. We also evaluated the most important factors for predicting tree growth rates and mortality and found that climate, competition, and air pollution generally have the greatest influence on growth rates and survival probability. Lastly, we developed a new probability of exceedance metric for each species and found high likelihoods of exceedance across large portions (46%) of some species' ranges. Our analysis demonstrates that machine learning approaches provide a unique capability to: (1) quantify mediating factor influences on N sensitivity of trees, (2) estimate the error in local N CL estimates, and (3) generate localized N CLs with probabilities of exceedance for tree species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing localized nitrogen sensitivity of tree species and the associated influences of mediating factors

Coughlin,

Chang,

Craig

et al. 2024

Ecosphere

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show abstract

“…In addition to altitude, topographical variables such as slope and aspect influence the forest composition. While aspect can affect species composition and soil properties --including soil moisture, pH, organic matter content and nutrient cycling--slope gradient can affect soil thickness, water and nutrient retention, among other factors (Gilliam et al 2014, Robin-Abbott andPardo 2017). At this point, the effects of site condition parameters may vary in combination with other variables.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and ecology of forest communities in Küre Mountains National Park of Turkey

et al. 2020

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Tree species at risk from nitrogen deposition in the northeastern United States: A geospatial analysis of effects of multiple stressors using exceedance of critical loads

Pardo

Coombs

Robin-Abbott

et al. 2019

Forest Ecology and Management

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How climatic conditions, site, and soil characteristics affect tree growth and critical loads of nitrogen for northeastern tree species

Cited by 4 publications

References 114 publications

Characterizing localized nitrogen sensitivity of tree species and the associated influences of mediating factors

Characterizing localized nitrogen sensitivity of tree species and the associated influences of mediating factors

Diversity and ecology of forest communities in Küre Mountains National Park of Turkey

Tree species at risk from nitrogen deposition in the northeastern United States: A geospatial analysis of effects of multiple stressors using exceedance of critical loads

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