Harvard Forest REU Symposium Abstract 2010

Title: Soil Carbon Dynamics at Harvard Forest: Soil Respiration Variance in Prospect Hill Tract
Author: Claudia F Reveles (Northern Arizona University)
Abstract:
Soil respiration is comprised of two components, root and microbial respiration. It is the second largest terrestrial carbon flux and has twice as much carbon than the atmosphere. The purpose of this project was to measure soil respiration over the Prospect Hill tract at Harvard Forest and its relationship to soil stand type and drainage type. There were a total of 56 sampling locations created from a map using GIS. Each of the 56 plots had a specific combination of tree species diversity and soil drainage type. Locations were sampled for soil respiration, soil moisture, and soil temperature every two weeks with a LiCor 6400 portable photosynthesis machine. Birch stands had the highest soil respiration when both soil temperature and soil moisture values were high; whereas pine trees had the lowest respiration rate when soil temperature and soil moisture was low. With respect to drainage type, well drained areas with high soil temperatures gave the highest rate of soil respiration. However, statistical analyses (ANOVA) showed no significant difference. This is a research project that will contribute to the ultimate goal of determining soil carbon loss for the Prospect Hill area.
Research Category: Group Projects; Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics

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