Geochemical Characterization of Soils in Wooded Uplands in Northwest Ohio: Implications of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on Soil Health
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Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK
2020
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1592260383941659 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-bgsu15922603839416592021-08-03T07:15:21Z Geochemical Characterization of Soils in Wooded Uplands in Northwest Ohio: Implications of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on Soil Health Wyderka, Melissa Ellen Geology Organic Chemistry Environmental Science Biogeochemistry Geochemistry Soil Sciences Sustainability Forestry Geochemical characterization soil health Ash Emerald Ash Borer The impact of Emerald Ash Borer infestation on Fraxinus trees in eastern North America has been extensively studied, yet impacts to the soil health as the infestation progresses are not well understood. This study characterized soil samples from 5 health categories of Ash (Category 1: healthy; Category 5: dead) in 4 wooded upland sites in Northwest Ohio to gain a current assessment of soil health on locations with similar soil characteristics and geographic factors. Results indicated a strong positive relationship between canopy openness and health categorization (towards decline tree health). However, only a moderate negative relationship between humification index (degree of aromaticity) and canopy openness, indicating less aromatic soil organic matter beneath infested Ash trees. This suggests leaf litter from formation of epicormic branching may be replenishing or maintaining solid organic carbon stocks in soil even after the tree reaches category 4. Density of epicormic branching may also affect trends in bioavailable total nitrogen (TN) and dissolved organic carbon stocks (DOC: TN). The DOC: N ratio combined with a pattern of decrease and increase exhibited individually by DOC and TN, suggests leaf litter supply to the soil was directly affected by loss of canopy and epicormic branching. This feedback system was more visible in soil testing by the presence of neutral to slightly alkaline pH, which may be facilitating nitrification, maintaining low DOC: N ratios and increasing sensitivity to leaf litter fluxes. The neutral to slightly alkaline pH was most likely the result of high calcium (Ca) concentrations on all 4 sites. Results suggested that Ca concentrations were unaffected by base cation leaching, indicating external influxes of Ca. This study suggests Ash trees on these sites may be lingering at category 3 to 4 for several years with epicormic branching making significant contributions to soil fertility even at category 4. Results from category 4 and 5 on these sites indicates density of epicormic branching allowed for accumulation of leaf litter in the O layer, maintaining soil fertility even after the tree was dead suggesting Ash trees may have a future in sustainable systems through management such as coppicing or pollarding. 2020-08-17 English text Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1592260383941659 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1592260383941659 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Geology Organic Chemistry Environmental Science Biogeochemistry Geochemistry Soil Sciences Sustainability Forestry Geochemical characterization soil health Ash Emerald Ash Borer |
| spellingShingle |
Geology Organic Chemistry Environmental Science Biogeochemistry Geochemistry Soil Sciences Sustainability Forestry Geochemical characterization soil health Ash Emerald Ash Borer Wyderka, Melissa Ellen Geochemical Characterization of Soils in Wooded Uplands in Northwest Ohio: Implications of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on Soil Health |
| author |
Wyderka, Melissa Ellen |
| author_facet |
Wyderka, Melissa Ellen |
| author_sort |
Wyderka, Melissa Ellen |
| title |
Geochemical Characterization of Soils in Wooded Uplands in Northwest Ohio: Implications of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on Soil Health |
| title_short |
Geochemical Characterization of Soils in Wooded Uplands in Northwest Ohio: Implications of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on Soil Health |
| title_full |
Geochemical Characterization of Soils in Wooded Uplands in Northwest Ohio: Implications of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on Soil Health |
| title_fullStr |
Geochemical Characterization of Soils in Wooded Uplands in Northwest Ohio: Implications of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on Soil Health |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Geochemical Characterization of Soils in Wooded Uplands in Northwest Ohio: Implications of Emerald Ash Borer Infestation on Soil Health |
| title_sort |
geochemical characterization of soils in wooded uplands in northwest ohio: implications of emerald ash borer infestation on soil health |
| publisher |
Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2020 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1592260383941659 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT wyderkamelissaellen geochemicalcharacterizationofsoilsinwoodeduplandsinnorthwestohioimplicationsofemeraldashborerinfestationonsoilhealth |
| _version_ |
1719457349326864384 |