The Walker Branch throughfall displacement experiment: An overview, field performance data, and initial growth responses
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
At Walker Branch Watershed a group of interdisciplinary scientists are conducting the Throughfall Displacement Experiment, a stand-level manipulation experiment that provides the appropriate environment for mechanistic studies of ecosystem and plant-level responses to changing precipitation inputs to an upland oak forest. Soil water is being manipulated by a gravity-driven transfer of one third of the throughfall precipitation from a {open_quotes}dry{close_quotes} to a {open_quotes}wet{close_quotes} treatment area. The experimental system is able to produce statistically significant differences in soil water content in years having both extremely dry and extremely wet conditions. Comparisons of pre- and post-installation soil temperature measurements have documented the ability of the experimental design to produce soil water changes without impacting forest floor and soil temperatures. After 1.5 years of continuous manipulation, growth responses have yet to develop for the mature canopy oaks and maples, however measurements of understory dogwoods and maples indicate a 45% difference in basal area growth between the dry and wet treatment areas.
- OSTI ID:
- 95799
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9507129--
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, Journal Name: Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 76; ISSN BECLAG; ISSN 0012-9623
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Description and field performance of the Walker Branch throughfall displacement experiment: 1993--1996
A large-scale throughfall manipulation experiment on Walker Branch Watershed