Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Climate and Ecosystem Biogeochemistry

Active
By Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center November 6, 2017

This research theme advance fundamental understanding of climate-biogeochemistry interactions, with wide applicability to virtually all terrestrial ecosystems.

Precipitation and nitrogen are key drivers of carbon sequestration in temperate forests. Interactions between these factors can however lead to complex feedbacks between plants and soils that result in unanticipated shifts in carbon dynamics and greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon stores of forests in the Pacific Northwest exceed those of any other biome, anywhere on Earth, and are highly sensitive to current and future anticipated changes in precipitation. 

Click here to return to FRESC Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory.

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Views from Siuslaw National Forest

Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory (FRESC)

Research in our laboratory centers on the ecology and biogeochemistry of forest ecosystems, as well as grassland and riparian systems. We examine how factors such as natural and human disturbances, climate, succession, and soil fertility shape ecosystem biogeochemistry - and the reciprocal effect of biogeochemical cycles on these and other factors.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
link

Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory (FRESC)

Research in our laboratory centers on the ecology and biogeochemistry of forest ecosystems, as well as grassland and riparian systems. We examine how factors such as natural and human disturbances, climate, succession, and soil fertility shape ecosystem biogeochemistry - and the reciprocal effect of biogeochemical cycles on these and other factors.
Learn More

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 18

N and P constrain C in ecosystems under climate change: Role of nutrient redistribution, accumulation, and stoichiometry

We use the Multiple Element Limitation (MEL) model to examine responses of twelve ecosystems to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2), warming, and 20% decreases or increases in precipitation. Ecosystems respond synergistically to elevated CO2, warming, and decreased precipitation combined because higher water-use efficiency with elevated CO2 and higher fertility with warming compensate for...
Authors
Ed Rastetter, Bonnie Kwiatkowski, David Kicklighter, Audrey Barker Plotkin, Helene Genet, Jesse Nippert, Kimberly O’Keefe, Steven Perakis, Stephen Porder, Sarah Roley, Roger W. Ruess, Jonathan R. Thompson, William Wieder, Kevin WIlcox, Ruth Yanai
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Climatic aridity shapes post-fire interactions between Ceanothus spp. and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) across the Klamath Mountains

Climate change is leading to increased drought intensity and fire frequency, creating early-successional landscapes with novel disturbance–recovery dynamics. In the Klamath Mountains of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon, early-successional interactions between nitrogen (N)-fixing shrubs (Ceanothus spp.) and long-lived conifers (Douglas-fir) are especially important...
Authors
Damla Cinoglu, Howard E Epstein, Alan J. Tepley, Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira, Jonathan R. Thompson, Steven Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

N supply mediates the radiative balance of N2O emissions and CO2 sequestration driven by N-fixing vs. non-fixing trees

Forests are a significant CO2 sink. However, CO2 sequestration in forests is radiatively offset by emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, from forest soils. Reforestation, an important strategy for mitigating climate change, has focused on maximizing CO2 sequestration in plant biomass without integrating N2O emissions from soils. Although nitrogen (N)-fixing trees are...
Authors
Sian Kou-Giesbrecht, Jennifer L. Funk, Steven Perakis, Amelia A. Wolf, Duncan Menge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

A roadmap for sampling and scaling biological nitrogen fixation in terrestrial ecosystems

Accurately quantifying rates and patterns of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in terrestrial ecosystems is essential to characterize ecological and biogeochemical interactions, identify mechanistic controls, improve BNF representation in conceptual and numerical modelling, and forecast nitrogen limitation constraints on future carbon (C) cycling.While many resources address the...
Authors
Fiona M. Soper, Benton Taylor, Joy Winbourne, Michelle Wong, Katherine A Dynarski, Carla R. G. Reis, Mark Peoples, Cory Cleveland, Sasha C. Reed, Duncan Menge, Steven Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center

Climate-mediated changes to linked terrestrial and marine ecosystems across the northeast Pacific coastal temperate rainforest margin

Coastal margins are important areas of materials flux that link terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Consequently, climate-mediated changes to coastal terrestrial ecosystems and hydrologic regimes have high potential to influence nearshore ocean chemistry and food web dynamics. Research from tightly coupled, high-flux coastal ecosystems can advance understanding of terrestrial–marine links...
Authors
Allison L. Bidlack, Sarah Bisbing, Brian Buma, Heida Diefenderfer, Jason Fellman, William Floyd, Ian Giesbrecht, Amritpal Lally, Ken Lertzman, Steven Perakis, David Butman, David D'Amore, Sean W. Fleming, Eran W. Hood, Brianna K. Hunt, Peter Kiffney, Gavin McNicol, Brian Menounos, Suzanne E. Tank
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Decadal-scale decoupling of soil phosphorus and molybdenum cycles by temperate nitrogen-fixing trees

Symbiotic nitrogen- (N) fixing trees can influence multiple biogeochemical cycles by fixing atmospheric N, which drives net primary productivity and soil carbon (C) and N accumulation, as well as by mobilizing soil phosphorus (P) and other nutrients to support growth and metabolism. The soil micronutrient molybdenum (Mo) is essential to N-fixation, yet surprisingly little is known of...
Authors
Katherine A Dynarski, Julie C. Pett-Ridge, Steven Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Centennial-scale reductions in nitrogen availability in temperate forests of the United States

Forests cover 30% of the terrestrial Earth surface and are a major component of the global carbon (C) cycle. Humans have doubled the amount of global reactive nitrogen (N), increasing deposition of N onto forests worldwide. However, other global changes—especially climate change and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations—are increasing demand for N, the element limiting...
Authors
Kendra K. McLauchlan, Laci M. Gerhart, John J. Battles, Joseph M. Craine, Andrew J. Elmore, Phil E. Higuera, Michelle M Mack, Brendan E. McNeil, David M. Nelson, Neil Pederson, Steven Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Nutrient feedbacks to soil heterotrophic nitrogen fixation in forests

Multiple nutrient cycles regulate biological nitrogen (N) fixation in forests, yet long-term feedbacks between N-fixation and coupled element cycles remain largely unexplored. We examined soil nutrients and heterotrophic N-fixation across a gradient of 24 temperate conifer forests shaped by legacies of symbiotic N-fixing trees. We observed positive relationships among mineral soil pools...
Authors
Steven Perakis, Julie C. Pett-Ridge, Christina E. Catricala
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Mechanisms of nitrogen deposition effects on temperate forest lichens and trees

We review the mechanisms of deleterious nitrogen (N) deposition impacts on temperate forests, with a particular focus on trees and lichens. Elevated anthropogenic N deposition to forests has varied effects on individual organisms depending on characteristics both of the N inputs (form, timing, amount) and of the organisms (ecology, physiology) involved. Improved mechanistic knowledge of...
Authors
Therese S. Carter, Christopher L. Clark, Mark E. Fenn, Sarah E. Jovan, Steven Perakis, Jennifer Riddell, Paul G. Schaberg, Tara Greaver, Meredith Hastings
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Decomposition drives convergence of forest litter nutrient stoichiometry following phosphorus addition

Background and aims Nutrient levels in decomposing detritus and soil can influence decomposition rates and detrital nutrient dynamics in differing ways among various detrital components of forests. We assessed whether increased phosphorus (P) levels in litter and soil influenced decomposition rates and litter nutrient dynamics of foliage, fine roots, and twigs in nitrogen (N)-rich...
Authors
Tiff L. van Huysen, Steven Perakis, Mark E. Harmon
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

A framework to assess biogeochemical response to ecosystem disturbance using nutrient partitioning ratios

Disturbances affect almost all terrestrial ecosystems, but it has been difficult to identify general principles regarding these influences. To improve our understanding of the long-term consequences of disturbance on terrestrial ecosystems, we present a conceptual framework that analyzes disturbances by their biogeochemical impacts. We posit that the ratio of soil and plant nutrient...
Authors
J. Marty Kranabetter, Kendra K. McLauchlan, Sara K. Enders, Jennifer M. Fraterrigo, Philip E. Higuera, Jesse L. Morris, Edward B. Rastetter, Rebecca Barnes, Brian Buma, Daniel G. Gavin, Laci M. Gerhart, Lindsey Gillson, Peter Hietz, Michelle C. Mack, Brenden McNeil, Steven Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Response of the nitrogen-fixing lichen Lobaria pulmonaria to phosphorus, molybdenum, and vanadium

Nitrogen-fixing lichens (cyanolichens) are an important source of nitrogen (N) in Pacific Northwest forests, but limitation of lichen growth by elements essential for N fixation is poorly understood. To investigate how nutrient limitation may affect cyanolichen growth rates, we fertilized a tripartite cyanobacterial lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria) and a green algal non-nitrogen fixing lichen...
Authors
Jade A Marks, Julie Pett-Ridge, Steven S. Perakis, Jessica L Allen, Bruce McCune
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

This research theme advance fundamental understanding of climate-biogeochemistry interactions, with wide applicability to virtually all terrestrial ecosystems.

Precipitation and nitrogen are key drivers of carbon sequestration in temperate forests. Interactions between these factors can however lead to complex feedbacks between plants and soils that result in unanticipated shifts in carbon dynamics and greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon stores of forests in the Pacific Northwest exceed those of any other biome, anywhere on Earth, and are highly sensitive to current and future anticipated changes in precipitation. 

Click here to return to FRESC Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory.

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Views from Siuslaw National Forest

Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory (FRESC)

Research in our laboratory centers on the ecology and biogeochemistry of forest ecosystems, as well as grassland and riparian systems. We examine how factors such as natural and human disturbances, climate, succession, and soil fertility shape ecosystem biogeochemistry - and the reciprocal effect of biogeochemical cycles on these and other factors.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
link

Terrestrial Ecosystems Laboratory (FRESC)

Research in our laboratory centers on the ecology and biogeochemistry of forest ecosystems, as well as grassland and riparian systems. We examine how factors such as natural and human disturbances, climate, succession, and soil fertility shape ecosystem biogeochemistry - and the reciprocal effect of biogeochemical cycles on these and other factors.
Learn More

Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 18

N and P constrain C in ecosystems under climate change: Role of nutrient redistribution, accumulation, and stoichiometry

We use the Multiple Element Limitation (MEL) model to examine responses of twelve ecosystems to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2), warming, and 20% decreases or increases in precipitation. Ecosystems respond synergistically to elevated CO2, warming, and decreased precipitation combined because higher water-use efficiency with elevated CO2 and higher fertility with warming compensate for...
Authors
Ed Rastetter, Bonnie Kwiatkowski, David Kicklighter, Audrey Barker Plotkin, Helene Genet, Jesse Nippert, Kimberly O’Keefe, Steven Perakis, Stephen Porder, Sarah Roley, Roger W. Ruess, Jonathan R. Thompson, William Wieder, Kevin WIlcox, Ruth Yanai
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Climatic aridity shapes post-fire interactions between Ceanothus spp. and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) across the Klamath Mountains

Climate change is leading to increased drought intensity and fire frequency, creating early-successional landscapes with novel disturbance–recovery dynamics. In the Klamath Mountains of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon, early-successional interactions between nitrogen (N)-fixing shrubs (Ceanothus spp.) and long-lived conifers (Douglas-fir) are especially important...
Authors
Damla Cinoglu, Howard E Epstein, Alan J. Tepley, Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira, Jonathan R. Thompson, Steven Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

N supply mediates the radiative balance of N2O emissions and CO2 sequestration driven by N-fixing vs. non-fixing trees

Forests are a significant CO2 sink. However, CO2 sequestration in forests is radiatively offset by emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, from forest soils. Reforestation, an important strategy for mitigating climate change, has focused on maximizing CO2 sequestration in plant biomass without integrating N2O emissions from soils. Although nitrogen (N)-fixing trees are...
Authors
Sian Kou-Giesbrecht, Jennifer L. Funk, Steven Perakis, Amelia A. Wolf, Duncan Menge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

A roadmap for sampling and scaling biological nitrogen fixation in terrestrial ecosystems

Accurately quantifying rates and patterns of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in terrestrial ecosystems is essential to characterize ecological and biogeochemical interactions, identify mechanistic controls, improve BNF representation in conceptual and numerical modelling, and forecast nitrogen limitation constraints on future carbon (C) cycling.While many resources address the...
Authors
Fiona M. Soper, Benton Taylor, Joy Winbourne, Michelle Wong, Katherine A Dynarski, Carla R. G. Reis, Mark Peoples, Cory Cleveland, Sasha C. Reed, Duncan Menge, Steven Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center

Climate-mediated changes to linked terrestrial and marine ecosystems across the northeast Pacific coastal temperate rainforest margin

Coastal margins are important areas of materials flux that link terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Consequently, climate-mediated changes to coastal terrestrial ecosystems and hydrologic regimes have high potential to influence nearshore ocean chemistry and food web dynamics. Research from tightly coupled, high-flux coastal ecosystems can advance understanding of terrestrial–marine links...
Authors
Allison L. Bidlack, Sarah Bisbing, Brian Buma, Heida Diefenderfer, Jason Fellman, William Floyd, Ian Giesbrecht, Amritpal Lally, Ken Lertzman, Steven Perakis, David Butman, David D'Amore, Sean W. Fleming, Eran W. Hood, Brianna K. Hunt, Peter Kiffney, Gavin McNicol, Brian Menounos, Suzanne E. Tank
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Decadal-scale decoupling of soil phosphorus and molybdenum cycles by temperate nitrogen-fixing trees

Symbiotic nitrogen- (N) fixing trees can influence multiple biogeochemical cycles by fixing atmospheric N, which drives net primary productivity and soil carbon (C) and N accumulation, as well as by mobilizing soil phosphorus (P) and other nutrients to support growth and metabolism. The soil micronutrient molybdenum (Mo) is essential to N-fixation, yet surprisingly little is known of...
Authors
Katherine A Dynarski, Julie C. Pett-Ridge, Steven Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Centennial-scale reductions in nitrogen availability in temperate forests of the United States

Forests cover 30% of the terrestrial Earth surface and are a major component of the global carbon (C) cycle. Humans have doubled the amount of global reactive nitrogen (N), increasing deposition of N onto forests worldwide. However, other global changes—especially climate change and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations—are increasing demand for N, the element limiting...
Authors
Kendra K. McLauchlan, Laci M. Gerhart, John J. Battles, Joseph M. Craine, Andrew J. Elmore, Phil E. Higuera, Michelle M Mack, Brendan E. McNeil, David M. Nelson, Neil Pederson, Steven Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Nutrient feedbacks to soil heterotrophic nitrogen fixation in forests

Multiple nutrient cycles regulate biological nitrogen (N) fixation in forests, yet long-term feedbacks between N-fixation and coupled element cycles remain largely unexplored. We examined soil nutrients and heterotrophic N-fixation across a gradient of 24 temperate conifer forests shaped by legacies of symbiotic N-fixing trees. We observed positive relationships among mineral soil pools...
Authors
Steven Perakis, Julie C. Pett-Ridge, Christina E. Catricala
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Mechanisms of nitrogen deposition effects on temperate forest lichens and trees

We review the mechanisms of deleterious nitrogen (N) deposition impacts on temperate forests, with a particular focus on trees and lichens. Elevated anthropogenic N deposition to forests has varied effects on individual organisms depending on characteristics both of the N inputs (form, timing, amount) and of the organisms (ecology, physiology) involved. Improved mechanistic knowledge of...
Authors
Therese S. Carter, Christopher L. Clark, Mark E. Fenn, Sarah E. Jovan, Steven Perakis, Jennifer Riddell, Paul G. Schaberg, Tara Greaver, Meredith Hastings
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Decomposition drives convergence of forest litter nutrient stoichiometry following phosphorus addition

Background and aims Nutrient levels in decomposing detritus and soil can influence decomposition rates and detrital nutrient dynamics in differing ways among various detrital components of forests. We assessed whether increased phosphorus (P) levels in litter and soil influenced decomposition rates and litter nutrient dynamics of foliage, fine roots, and twigs in nitrogen (N)-rich...
Authors
Tiff L. van Huysen, Steven Perakis, Mark E. Harmon
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

A framework to assess biogeochemical response to ecosystem disturbance using nutrient partitioning ratios

Disturbances affect almost all terrestrial ecosystems, but it has been difficult to identify general principles regarding these influences. To improve our understanding of the long-term consequences of disturbance on terrestrial ecosystems, we present a conceptual framework that analyzes disturbances by their biogeochemical impacts. We posit that the ratio of soil and plant nutrient...
Authors
J. Marty Kranabetter, Kendra K. McLauchlan, Sara K. Enders, Jennifer M. Fraterrigo, Philip E. Higuera, Jesse L. Morris, Edward B. Rastetter, Rebecca Barnes, Brian Buma, Daniel G. Gavin, Laci M. Gerhart, Lindsey Gillson, Peter Hietz, Michelle C. Mack, Brenden McNeil, Steven Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Response of the nitrogen-fixing lichen Lobaria pulmonaria to phosphorus, molybdenum, and vanadium

Nitrogen-fixing lichens (cyanolichens) are an important source of nitrogen (N) in Pacific Northwest forests, but limitation of lichen growth by elements essential for N fixation is poorly understood. To investigate how nutrient limitation may affect cyanolichen growth rates, we fertilized a tripartite cyanobacterial lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria) and a green algal non-nitrogen fixing lichen...
Authors
Jade A Marks, Julie Pett-Ridge, Steven S. Perakis, Jessica L Allen, Bruce McCune
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Was this page helpful?