Vegetation and Acidification

DeWalle, David R.; Kochenderfer, James N.; Adams, Mary Beth; Miller, Gary W.; Gilliam, Frank S.; Wood, Frederica; Odenwald-Clemens, Stephanie S.; Sharpe, William E.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-4615-5_5

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Whole-watershed ammonium sulfate treatments reduced EMM growth of northern red oak, red maple, and tulip poplar relative to an adjacent control watershed, but did not affect the growth of black cherry (Figure 4). The observed species-specific responses to treatment are generally consistent with previous tree ring studies at Fernow, which reported greater tulip poplar growth in the control catchment (Jensen et al, 2014) and comparable growth of black cherry after the first years of treatment (DeWalle et al, 2006). Our findings are also consistent with studies showing that black cherry tends to be acid-tolerant (Long et al, 2009) and fast-growing, but shorter-lived than other cooccurring hardwood species (Auclair & Cottam, 1971).…”

Section: Treatment Effects On Tree Growthsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…However, analyses of tree growth response to acidification treatments at Fernow have been mixed or inconclusive. For example, DeWalle et al (2006) reported that growth of black cherry (Prunus serotina) and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) increased in the treated watershed relative to the control in the first 7 years, perhaps due to N fertilization or base cation mobilization, but growth rates declined thereafter. Jensen et al (2014) reported species-specific differences in growth, with black cherry exhibiting significantly greater growth in the treated watershed until 2003, and tulip poplar growing consistently faster in the control watershed from 1989-2011.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Assessing Temperate Forest Growth and Climate Sensitivity in Response to a Long‐Term Whole‐Watershed Acidification Experiment

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Acid deposition is a major biogeochemical driver in forest ecosystems, but the impacts of long‐term changes in deposition on forest productivity remain unclear. Using a combination of tree ring and forest inventory data, we examined tree growth and climate sensitivity in response to 26 years of whole‐watershed ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) additions at the Fernow Experimental Forest (West Virginia, USA). Linear mixed effects models revealed species‐specific responses to both treatment and hydroclimate variables. When controlling for environmental covariates, growth of northern red oak (Quercus rubra), red maple (Acer rubrum), and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) was greater (40%, 52%, and 42%, respectively) in the control watershed compared to the treated watershed, but there was no difference in black cherry (Prunus serotina). Stem growth was generally positively associated with growing season water availability and spring temperature and negatively associated with vapor pressure deficit. Sensitivity of northern red oak, red maple, and tulip poplar growth to water availability was greater in the control watershed, suggesting that acidification treatment has altered tree response to climate. Results indicate that chronic acid deposition may reduce both forest growth and climate sensitivity, with potentially significant implications for forest carbon and water cycling in deposition‐affected regions.

show abstract

Section: Treatment Effects On Tree Growthsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Temperate Forest Growth and Climate Sensitivity in Response to a Long‐Term Whole‐Watershed Acidification Experiment

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Prior to acidification treatment in 1989, vegetation differed slightly among the two watersheds, which may be attributed to earlier vegetation treatments (DeWalle et al 2006). The treated watershed had a greater component of P. serotina and A. rubrum compared to the control while the control had a greater component of L. tulipifera and B. lenta (Adams et al 2007).…”

Section: Experimental Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

“…To analyze the changes in cation availability within the treated and control watersheds, we examined the wood chemistry of P. serotina and L. tulipifera. These same species were examined previously on these same watersheds by DeWalle et al (2006), so using them for this study provides a means for examining responses over a longer time period. These species were selected for their availability on both watersheds, lower probability of radial translocation, and dominant/codominant positions in the crown.…”

Section: Tree Coresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To provide new insight into the forest acidification process, this study analyzed hardwood tree-ring chemistry and growth response data 22 years after experimental acidification began on a watershed in the Eastern USA (Adams et al 2006). While previous studies have examined tree-chemistry response and growth rates in smaller trees (DeWalle et al 2006), this study is the first to examine trees of commercial size (>45 cm). Tree-ring (dendrochemistry) chemistry provides a unique insight into this problem by allowing an examination of essential element concentrations over time, which serve as indicators of growth response.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Tree Response to Experimental Watershed Acidification

Jensen¹,

Holzmueller²,

Edwards

et al. 2014

Water Air Soil Pollut

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Forest ecosystems in the Eastern USA are threatened by acid deposition rates that have increased dramatically since industrialization. We utilized two watersheds at the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia to examine long-term effects of acidification on ecological processes. One watershed has been treated with ammonium sulfate (approximately twice the ambient deposition rate) since 1989 to simulate elevated acidic deposition, while the other served as a control. Prior to treatment, both watersheds were similar in age and species composition. Ten dominant overstory Prunus serotina and Liriodendron tulipifera trees were selected and cored from each watershed to measure bolewood concentrations of essential elements through time. In addition, changes in tree species basal area were analyzed utilizing 50 long-term growth plots. Results of this experiment show lower calcium and magnesium concentration and increased acidic cation concentration for both species in the treated watershed, indicating a negative treatment effect. Growth response, measured through relative growth rates of cored trees and changes in basal area from growth plots, was not as conclusive and appeared to differ by species. The resulting difference in species response indicates that acidification sensitivity is something that land managers should consider when managing forests affected by acidification.

show abstract

Response of soil fertility to 25 years of experimental acidification in a temperate hardwood forest

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The effects of enhanced acid deposition from the atmosphere, and associated elevated inputs of N, are widely evident, especially for forests where excess N has led to a variety of deleterious effects. These include declines in biodiversity, a response that will likely require considerable time for recovery. The purpose of this study was to determine responses of plant nutrient availability in surface mineral soil to 25 yr of experimental acidification and N addition in a central Appalachian hardwood forest ecosystem. We hypothesized that chronic additions of (NH4)2SO4 will increase mineral N, decrease soil pH, P, and base cations, increase micronutrients (Mn2+ and Fe2+), and increase levels of Al3+. Results supported these predictions, although Mn2+ did not vary significantly. Earlier work on these plots found no response of any of the extractable nutrients to 3 yr of treatment, yet after 25 yr, our results suggest that impacts are apparent in the top 5 cm of the A horizon. We surmise that impacts in these soils may have lagged behind the onset of acidification treatments or that several years of treatment were required to overcome preexisting differences in soil ions. Generally, current findings confirm that (NH4)2SO4 treatments have lowered the pH, enhanced levels of exchangeable Al3+, and increased stream‐water exports of NO3− and base cations—a process that further acidifies soil. The combination of these changes in surface soils, with their high proportion of fine roots, may contribute to the reduced growth and competitiveness of some hardwood species at the acidified site.

show abstract

Vegetation and Acidification

Cited by 11 publications

References 33 publications

Assessing Temperate Forest Growth and Climate Sensitivity in Response to a Long‐Term Whole‐Watershed Acidification Experiment

Assessing Temperate Forest Growth and Climate Sensitivity in Response to a Long‐Term Whole‐Watershed Acidification Experiment

Tree Response to Experimental Watershed Acidification

Response of soil fertility to 25 years of experimental acidification in a temperate hardwood forest

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About