Herbaceous layer and soil response to experimental acidification in a central appalachian hardwood forest

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Journal of Environmental Quality

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1994.00472425002300040032x· OSTI ID:263110

Gilliam, F S; Turrill, N L; Aulick, S D; Evans, D K ^[1]; Adams, M B ^[2]

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1. Marshall Univ., Huntington, WV (United States)
2. Timber and Watershed Laboratory, Parsons, WV (United States)

The herbaceous layer is an important component of forest ecosystems and a potentially sensitive vegetation stratum in response to acid deposition. This study tested several hypotheses concerning soil and herbaceous layer response to experimental acidification at the Fernow Experimental Forest in north-central West Virginia. Fifteen circular sample plots (0.04 ha) were established in each of three watersheds: WS3 (an {approx} 20-yr-old watershed receiving acidification treatment with (NH{sub 4}){sub 2}SO{sub 4}), WS4 (>80-yr-old control), and WS7 ({approx} 20-yr-old control). The herb layer was sampled intensively in 10 1-m{sup 2} subplots within each sample plot, including determination of species composition, cover, and random biomass harvests. Few differences among watersheds for virtually all measured soil variables indicated minimal response of soil fertility to the acidification treatment. The herbaceous layer was also quite similar among watersheds with respect to cover-biomass and species diversity; WS7, however, had {approx} 70% higher herb layer cover that both Ws3 and WS4, a result of the predominance of a few high-cover fern species and attributable to the north-facing aspect of WS7 vs. south-facing aspects of WS3/WS4. There was a high degree of species similarity among watersheds, suggesting no shift in species composition in response to acidification. There was also minimal response of element concentrations to acidification, although Fe and Al exhibited evidence of increased uptake in WS3. We conclude that, contrary to our expectations, there has been little substantive response of the soil and herb layer to acidification, but hypothesize that herbaceous layer species may experience toxicity problems with increased mobility of Al and micronutrients in the future. 47 refs., 3 figs., 4 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 263110
• Report Number(s): CONF-9101175--
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 23; ISSN JEVQAA; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ACIDIFICATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FIELD TESTS
FORESTS
HERBS
PLANT GROWTH
POPULATION DYNAMICS
SOILS