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Climate and Ecosystem Biogeochemistry

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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 and climate change, 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 and climate change, 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: 13

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 whether N-fix
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 primary product
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 of N, carb
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 these effe
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 Douglas-fir (Ps
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 stocks in matu
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 (Usnea lo
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

Soil organic matter regulates molybdenum storage and mobility in forests

The trace element molybdenum (Mo) is essential to a suite of nitrogen (N) cycling processes in ecosystems, but there is limited information on its distribution within soils and relationship to plant and bedrock pools. We examined soil, bedrock, and plant Mo variation across 24 forests spanning wide soil pH gradients on both basaltic and sedimentary lithologies in the Oregon Coast Range. We found t
Authors
Jade A Marks, Steven Perakis, Elizabeth K. King, Julie Pett-Ridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Convergence of soil nitrogen isotopes across global climate gradients

Quantifying global patterns of terrestrial nitrogen (N) cycling is central to predicting future patterns of primary productivity, carbon sequestration, nutrient fluxes to aquatic systems, and climate forcing. With limited direct measures of soil N cycling at the global scale, syntheses of the 15 N: 14 N ratio of soil organic matter across climate gradients provide key insights into understanding g
Authors
Joseph M. Craine, Andrew J. Elmore, Lixin Wang, Laurent Augusto, W. Troy Baisden, E. N. J. Brookshire, Michael D. Cramer, Niles J. Hasselquist, Erik A. Hobbie, Ansgar Kahmen, Keisuke Koba, J. Marty Kranabetter, Michelle C. Mack, Erika Marin-Spiotta, Jordan R. Mayor, Kendra K. McLauchlan, Anders Michelsen, Gabriela B. Nardoto, Rafael S. Oliveira, Steven S. Perakis, Pablo L. Peri, Carlos A. Quesada, Andreas Richter, Louis A. Schipper, Bryan A. Stevenson, Benjamin L. Turner, Ricardo A. G. Viani, Wolfgang Wanek, Bernd Zeller
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Thresholds for protecting Pacific Northwest ecosystems from atmospheric deposition of nitrogen: state of knowledge report

The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service manage areas in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington – collectively referred to in this report as the Pacific Northwest - that contain significant natural resources and provide many recreational opportunities. The agencies are mandated to protect the air quality and air pollution-sensitive resources on these federal lands. Human activity h
Authors
Tonnie Cummings, Tamara Blett, Ellen Porter, Linda Geiser, Rick Graw, Jill McMurray, Steven S. Perakis, Regina Rochefort
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Biogeochemistry of a temperate forest nitrogen gradient

Wide natural gradients of soil nitrogen (N) can be used to examine fundamental relationships between plant–soil–microbial N cycling and hydrologic N loss, and to test N-saturation theory as a general framework for understanding ecosystem N dynamics. We characterized plant production, N uptake and return in litterfall, soil gross and net N mineralization rates, and hydrologic N losses of nine Dougl
Authors
Steven S. Perakis, Emily R. Sinkhorn
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Unearthing Secrets of the Forest

Forests are a defining feature for large areas of the Pacific northwestern United States from northern California to Alaska. Coniferous temperate rainforests in the western Cascade and coastal mountain ranges are appreciated for their aesthetic value and abundant natural resources. Few people recognize the riches beneath the forest floor; yet, soil is a key ecosystem component that makes each type
Authors
Sarah I. Beldin, Steven S. Perakis
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 and climate change, 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 and climate change, 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: 13

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 whether N-fix
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 primary product
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 of N, carb
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 these effe
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 Douglas-fir (Ps
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 stocks in matu
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 (Usnea lo
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

Soil organic matter regulates molybdenum storage and mobility in forests

The trace element molybdenum (Mo) is essential to a suite of nitrogen (N) cycling processes in ecosystems, but there is limited information on its distribution within soils and relationship to plant and bedrock pools. We examined soil, bedrock, and plant Mo variation across 24 forests spanning wide soil pH gradients on both basaltic and sedimentary lithologies in the Oregon Coast Range. We found t
Authors
Jade A Marks, Steven Perakis, Elizabeth K. King, Julie Pett-Ridge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Convergence of soil nitrogen isotopes across global climate gradients

Quantifying global patterns of terrestrial nitrogen (N) cycling is central to predicting future patterns of primary productivity, carbon sequestration, nutrient fluxes to aquatic systems, and climate forcing. With limited direct measures of soil N cycling at the global scale, syntheses of the 15 N: 14 N ratio of soil organic matter across climate gradients provide key insights into understanding g
Authors
Joseph M. Craine, Andrew J. Elmore, Lixin Wang, Laurent Augusto, W. Troy Baisden, E. N. J. Brookshire, Michael D. Cramer, Niles J. Hasselquist, Erik A. Hobbie, Ansgar Kahmen, Keisuke Koba, J. Marty Kranabetter, Michelle C. Mack, Erika Marin-Spiotta, Jordan R. Mayor, Kendra K. McLauchlan, Anders Michelsen, Gabriela B. Nardoto, Rafael S. Oliveira, Steven S. Perakis, Pablo L. Peri, Carlos A. Quesada, Andreas Richter, Louis A. Schipper, Bryan A. Stevenson, Benjamin L. Turner, Ricardo A. G. Viani, Wolfgang Wanek, Bernd Zeller
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Thresholds for protecting Pacific Northwest ecosystems from atmospheric deposition of nitrogen: state of knowledge report

The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service manage areas in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington – collectively referred to in this report as the Pacific Northwest - that contain significant natural resources and provide many recreational opportunities. The agencies are mandated to protect the air quality and air pollution-sensitive resources on these federal lands. Human activity h
Authors
Tonnie Cummings, Tamara Blett, Ellen Porter, Linda Geiser, Rick Graw, Jill McMurray, Steven S. Perakis, Regina Rochefort
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Biogeochemistry of a temperate forest nitrogen gradient

Wide natural gradients of soil nitrogen (N) can be used to examine fundamental relationships between plant–soil–microbial N cycling and hydrologic N loss, and to test N-saturation theory as a general framework for understanding ecosystem N dynamics. We characterized plant production, N uptake and return in litterfall, soil gross and net N mineralization rates, and hydrologic N losses of nine Dougl
Authors
Steven S. Perakis, Emily R. Sinkhorn
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Unearthing Secrets of the Forest

Forests are a defining feature for large areas of the Pacific northwestern United States from northern California to Alaska. Coniferous temperate rainforests in the western Cascade and coastal mountain ranges are appreciated for their aesthetic value and abundant natural resources. Few people recognize the riches beneath the forest floor; yet, soil is a key ecosystem component that makes each type
Authors
Sarah I. Beldin, Steven S. Perakis
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
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