Silver W.L.
When Wet Gets Wetter: Decoupling of Moisture, Redox Biogeochemistry, and Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in a Humid Tropical Forest Soil
Thu, 01/03/2013 - 12:42 — leonmiHall S. J., McDowell W.H., Silver W.L. When Wet Gets Wetter: Decoupling of Moisture, Redox Biogeochemistry, and Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in a Humid Tropical Forest Soil. Ecosystems. ISSN 1432-9840. DOI 10.1007/s10021-012-9631-2
Abstract:
Upland humid tropical forest soils are often characterized
by fluctuating redox dynamics that vary temporally
and spatially across the landscape. An increase in
the frequency and intensity of rainfall events with climate
change is likely to affect soil redox reactions that
control the production and emissions of greenhouse
gases. We used a 24-day rainfall manipulation experiment
to evaluate temporal and spatial trends of surface
soil (0–20 cm) redox-active chemical species and
greenhouse gas fluxes in the Luquillo Experimental
Forest, Puerto Rico. Treatments consisted of a high
rainfall simulation (60 mm day-1), a fluctuating rainfall
regime, and a control. Water addition generated
high temporal and spatial variation in soil moisture
(0.3–0.6 m3 m-3), but had no significant effect on soil
oxygen(O2) concentrations. Extractablenitrate(NO3
-)
concentrations decreased with daily water additions
and reduced iron (Fe(II)) concentrations increased towards
the end of the experiment. Overall, redox indicators
displayed a weak, non-deterministic, nonlinear
relationship with soil moisture. High concentrations of
Fe(II) and manganese (Mn) were present even where
moisture was relatively low, and net Mn reduction
occurred in all plots including controls. Mean CO2
fluxeswere best explained by soil C concentrations and
a composite redox indicator, and not water addition.
Several plots were CH4 sources irrespective of water
addition, whereas other plots oscillated between weak
CH4 sources and sinks. Fluxes of N2O were highest in
control plots and were consistently low in water-addition
plots. Together, these data suggest (1) a relative
decoupling between soil moisture and redox processes
at our spatial and temporal scales of measurement, (2)
the co-occurrence of aerobic and anaerobic biogeochemical
processes inwell-drained surface soils, and (3)
an absence of threshold effects from sustained precipitation
on redox reactions over the scale of weeks. Our
data suggest a need to re-evaluate representations of
moisture in biogeochemical models.
Carbon Sequestration and Plan Community Dynamics Following Reforestation of Tropical Pasture
Tue, 01/24/2012 - 10:40 — leonmiSilver W.L., Kuppers L.M., Lugo A.E. et al. Carbon Sequestration and Plan Community Dynamics Following Reforestation of Tropical Pasture. Ecological Applications, Vol 14(4), 2004 pp 1115-1127.
Abstract:
Conversion of abandoned cattle pastures to secondary forests and plantations
in the tropics has been proposed as a means to increase rates of carbon (C) sequestration
from the atmosphere and enhance local biodiversity. We used a long-term tropical reforestation
project (55–61 yr) to estimate rates of above- and belowground C sequestration
and to investigate the impact of planted species on overall plant community structure.
Thirteen tree species (nine native and four nonnative species) were planted as part of the
reforestation effort in the mid to late 1930s. In 1992, there were 75 tree species (.9.1 cm
dbh) in the forest. Overall, planted species accounted for 40% of the importance value of
the forest; planted nonnative species contributed only 5% of the importance value. In the
reforested ecosystem, the total soil C pool (0–60 cm depth) was larger than the aboveground
C pool, and there was more soil C in the forest (102 6 10 Mg/ha [mean 6 1 SE]) than in
an adjacent pasture of similar age (69 6 16 Mg/ha). Forest soil C (C3-C) increased at a
rate of ;0.9 Mg·ha21·yr21, but residual pasture C (C4-C) was lost at a rate of 0.4 Mg·ha21·yr21,
yielding a net gain of 33 Mg/ha as a result of 61 years of forest regrowth. Aboveground
C accumulated at a rate of 1.4 6 0.05 Mg·ha21·yr21, to a total of 80 6 3 Mg/ha. A survey
of 426 merchantable trees in 1959 and 1992 showed that they grew faster in the second
33 years of forest development than in the first 22 years, indicating that later stages of
forest development can play an important role in C sequestration. Few indices of C cycling
were correlated with plant community composition or structure. Our results indicate that
significant soil C can accumulate with reforestation and that there are strong legacies of
pasture use and reforestation in plant community structure and rates of plant C sequestration.
Atypical soil carbon distribution across a tropical steepland forest catena.
Tue, 08/09/2011 - 09:07 — leonmiJohnson K.D., Scatena F.N., Silver W.L. Atypical soil carbon distribution across a tropical steepland forest catena. CATENA, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 4 August 2011, ISSN 0341-8162, DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2011.07.008. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0341816211001457)
Abstract:
Soil organic carbon (SOC) in a humid subtropical forest in Puerto Rico is higher at ridge locations compared to
valleys, and therefore opposite to what is commonly observed in other forested hillslope catenas. To better
understand the spatial distribution of SOC in this system, plots previously characterized by topographic
position, vegetation type and stand age were related to soil depth and SOC. Additional factors were also
investigated, including topographically-related differences in litter dynamics and soil chemistry. To
investigate the influence of litter dynamics, the Century soil organic model was parameterized to simulate
the effect of substituting valley species for ridge species. Soil chemical controls on C concentrations were
investigated with multiple linear regression models using iron, aluminum and clay variables. Deeper soils
were associated with indicators of higher landscape stability (older tabonuco stands established on ridges and
slopes), while shallower soils persisted in more disturbed areas (younger non-tabonuco stands in valleys and
on slopes). Soil depth alone accounted for 77% of the observed difference in the mean 0 to 60 cmSOC between
ridge soils (deeper) and valley soils (shallower). The remaining differences in SOC were due to additional
factors that lowered C concentrations at valley locations in the 0 to 10 cm pool. Model simulations showed a
slight decrease in SOC when lower litter C:N was substituted for higher litter C:N, but the effects of different
woody inputs on SOC were unclear. Multiple linear regression models with ammonium oxalate extractable
iron and aluminum, dithionite–citrate-extractable iron and aluminum, and clay contents explained as much
as 74% of the variation in C concentrations, and indicated that organo-mineral complexation may be more
limited in poorly developed valley soils. Thus, topography both directly and indirectly affects SOC pools
through a variety of inter-related processes that are often not quantified or captured in terrestrial carbon
models.
LONG-TERM PATTERNS IN TROPICAL REFORESTATION: PLANT COMMUNITY COMPOSITION AND ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS ACCUMULATION
Fri, 07/29/2011 - 12:32 — ckassMARIN-SPIOTTA, E. ; OSTERTAG, R.; SILVER W. L. 2007. Long-term, patterns in tropical reforestation: plant community composition and aboveground biomass accumulation.. Ecological Applications, 17(3), :828-839.
Abstract:
Primary tropical forests are renowned for their high biodiversity and carbon
storage, and considerable research has documented both species and carbon losses with
deforestation and agricultural land uses. Economic drivers are now leading to the
abandonment of agricultural lands, and the area in secondary forests is increasing. We know
little about how long it takes for these ecosystems to achieve the structural and compositional
characteristics of primary forests. In this study, we examine changes in plant species
composition and aboveground biomass during eight decades of tropical secondary succession
in Puerto Rico, and compare these patterns with primary forests. Using a well-replicated
chronosequence approach, we sampled primary forests and secondary forests established 10,
20, 30, 60, and 80 years ago on abandoned pastures. Tree species composition in all secondary
forests was different from that of primary forests and could be divided into early (10-, 20-, and
30-year) vs. late (60- and 80-year) successional phases. The highest rates of aboveground
biomass accumulation occurred in the first 20 years, with rates of C sequestration peaking at
6.7 6 0.5 Mg Cha1yr1. Reforestation of pastures resulted in an accumulation of 125 Mg
C/ha in aboveground standing live biomass over 80 years. The 80 year-old secondary forests
had greater biomass than the primary forests, due to the replacement of woody species by
palms in the primary forests. Our results show that these new ecosystems have different species
composition, but similar species richness, and significant potential for carbon sequestration,
compared to remnant primary forests.
Impact of experimental drought on greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient availability in a humid tropical forest
Thu, 07/28/2011 - 15:53 — ckassAbstract:
We excluded throughfall from humid tropical forests in Puerto Rico
for a period of three months to determine how drought affects
greenhouse gas emissions from tropical forest soils. We
established five 1.24 m2 throughfall exclusion and five control plots
of equal size in three sites located on ridges, slopes, and an upland
valley dominated by palms (total of 30 plots). We measured weekly
changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) and bi-weekly changes in nitrous
oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) in response to manipulation. We
additionally measured the effects of throughfall exclusion on soil
temperature and moisture, nutrient availability, and pH. Rainout
shelters significantly reduced throughfall by 22 to 32 % and
decreased soil moisture by 16 to 36% (top 10 cm). Rates of CO2
emissions decreased significantly in the ridge and slope sites (30%,
28%, respectively), but not the palm during the experimental
drought. In contrast, the palm site became a significantly stronger
sink for CH4 in response to drying (480% decline relative to
controls), while CH4 fluxes in the ridge and slope sites did not
respond to drought. Both the palm and ridge site became a sink for
N2O in response to drought and the slope site followed a similar
trend. Soil pH and available P decreased significantly in response
to soil drying; however, available N was not affected. Variability in
the response of greenhouse gas emissions to drought among the
three sites highlights the complexity of biogeochemical cycling in
tropical forested ecosystems, as well as the need for research that
incorporates the high degree of spatial heterogeneity in
experimental designs. Our results show that humid tropical forests
are sensitive to climate change and that short-term declines in rainfall could result in a negative feedback to climate change via
lowered greenhouse gas emissions and increased greenhouse gas
consumption by soils.
Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium in Upland Tropical Forest Soils
Thu, 07/28/2011 - 15:23 — ckassDissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium in Upland Tropical Forest Soils
Whendee L. Silver, Donald J. Herman and Mary K. Firestone
Ecology
Vol. 82, No. 9 (Sep., 2001), pp. 2410-2416
Abstract:
The internal transformations of nitrogen in terrestrial ecosystems exert strong
controls over nitrogen availability to net primary productivity, nitrate leaching into groundwater,
and emissions of nitrogen-based greenhouse gas. Here we report a reductive pathway
for nitrogen cycling in upland tropical forest soils that decreases the amount of nitrate
susceptible to leaching and denitrification, thus conserving nitrogen in the ecosystem. Using
15N tracers we measured rates of dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) in
upland humid tropical forest soils averaging ;0.6 mg·g21·d21. Rates of DNRA were three
times greater than the combined N2O and N2 fluxes from nitrification and denitrification
and accounted for 75% of the turnover of the nitrate pool. To determine the relative importance
of ambient C, O2, and NO3 concentrations on rates of DNRA, we estimated rates
of DNRA in laboratory assays using soils from three tropical forests (cloud forest, palm
forest, and wet tropical forest) that differed in ambient C and O2 concentrations. Rates of
DNRA measured in laboratory assays ranged from 0.5 to 9 mg·g21·d21 in soils from the
three different forests and appeared to be primarily limited by the availability of NO3, as
opposed to C or O2. Tests of sterile soils indicated that the dominant reductive pathway
for both NO2 and NO3 was biotic and not abiotic. Because NH4 is the form of N generally
favored for assimilation by plants and microbes, and NO3 is easily lost from the ecosystem,
the rapid and direct transformation of NO3 to NH4 via DNRA has the potential to play an
important role in ecosystem N conservation.
The potential for carbon sequestration through reforestation of abandoned tropical agricultural and pasture lands
Thu, 07/28/2011 - 15:22 — ckassSilver, W.L. et al. (2000) The potential for carbon sequestration
through reforestation of abandoned tropical agricultural and pasture
lands. Rest. Ecol. 8, 394–407
Abstract:
Approximately half of the tropical biome is in some stage of recovery from past human disturbance, most of which is in secondary forests growing on abandoned agricultural lands and pastures. Reforestation of these abandoned lands, both natural and managed, has been proposed as a means to help offset increasing carbon emissions to the atmosphere. In this paper we discuss the potential of these forests to serve as sinks for atmospheric carbon dioxide in aboveground biomass and soils. A review of literature data shows that aboveground biomass increases at a rate of 6.2 Mg ha−1 yr−1 during the first 20 years of succession, and at a rate of 2.9 Mg ha−1 yr−1 over the first 80 years of regrowth. During the first 20 years of regrowth, forests in wet life zones have the fastest rate of aboveground carbon accumulation with reforestation, followed by dry and moist forests. Soil carbon accumulated at a rate of 0.41 Mg ha−1yr−1 over a 100-year period, and at faster rates during the first 20 years (1.30 Mg carbon ha−1 yr−1). Past land use affects the rate of both above- and belowground carbon sequestration. Forests growing on abandoned agricultural land accumulate biomass faster than other past land uses, while soil carbon accumulates faster on sites that were cleared but not developed, and on pasture sites. Our results indicate that tropical reforestation has the potential to serve as a carbon offset mechanism both above- and belowground for at least 40 to 80 years, and possibly much longer. More research is needed to determine the potential for longer-term carbon sequestration for mitigation of atmospheric CO2 emissions.
Litterfall and Decomposition in Relation to Soil Carbon Pools Along a Secondary Forest Chronosequence in Puerto Rico
Thu, 07/28/2011 - 14:45 — ckassOstertag, R.; Marín-Spiotta, E.; Silver, W.L.; Schulten, J. 2008. Litterfall and decomposition in relation to soil carbon pools along a secondary forest chronosequence in Puerto Rico. Ecosystems. 11:701-714.
Abstract:
Secondary forests are becoming increasingly widespread in the tropics, but our understanding of how secondary succession affects carbon (C) cycling and C sequestration in these ecosystems is limited. We used a well-replicated 80-year pasture to forest successional chronosequence and primary forest in Puerto Rico to explore the relationships among litterfall, litter quality, decomposition, and soil C pools. Litterfall rates recovered rapidly during early secondary succession and averaged 10.5 (± 0.1 SE) Mg/ha/y among all sites over a 2-year period. Although forest plant community composition and plant life form dominance changed during succession, litter chemistry as evaluated by sequential C fractions and by 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy did not change significantly with forest age, nor did leaf decomposition rates. Root decomposition was slower than leaves and was fastest in the 60-year-old sites and slowest in the 10- and 30-year-old sites. Common litter and common site experiments suggested that site conditions were more important controls than litter quality in this chronosequence. Bulk soil C content was positively correlated with hydrophobic leaf compounds, suggesting that there is greater soil C accumulation if leaf litter contains more tannins and waxy compounds relative to more labile compounds. Our results suggest that most key C fluxes associated with litter production and decomposition re-establish rapidly—within a decade or two—during tropical secondary succession. Therefore, recovery of leaf litter C cycling processes after pasture use are faster than aboveground woody biomass and species accumulation, indicating that these young secondary forests have the potential to recover litter cycling functions and provide some of the same ecosystem services of primary forests.
Variations in Belowground Carbon Storage and Soil CO2 Flux Rates along a Wet Tropical Climate Gradient
Tue, 07/26/2011 - 16:32 — ckassMcGroddy, Megan; Silver, Whendee L. 2000. Variations in Belowground Carbon Storage and Soil CO2 Flux Rates along a Wet Tropical Climate Gradient. BIOTROPICA 32(4a): 614-624 .
Abstract:
We used a humid tropical elevation gradient to examine the relationships among climate, edaphic conditions, belowground carbon storage, and soil respiration rates. We also compared open and closed canopy sites to increase the range of microclimate conditions sampled along the gradient, and determine the effects of canopy openings on C and P storage, and C dynamics. Total soil C, the light C fraction, and all of the component fractions of the P pool were significantly related to soil moisture, and all but total soil C were also significantly related to temperature. Both labile and recalcitrant soil P fractions were negatively correlated with the light C fraction, while the dilute HCl-extractable P pool, generally thought of as intermediate in availability, was positively correlated with light C, suggesting that P may play an important role in C cycling within these systems. Total fine root biomass was greatest at 1000 m elevation and lowest at 150 m, and was strongly and positively correlated with soil moisture content. Soil respiration rates were significantly and negatively correlated with fine root biomass and the light C fraction. In forested sites, soil respiration rates were strongly and negatively correlated with total belowground C pools (soils 1 roots 1 forest floor). Belowground C pools did not follow the expected increasing trend with decreases in temperature along the gradient. Our results indicated that in humid tropical forests, the relationships among soil C and nutrient pools, soil respiration rates, and climate are complex. We suggest that frequent and prolonged anaerobic events could be important features of these environments that may explain the observed trends.
Effects of carbon additions on iron reduction and phosphorus availability in a humid tropical forest soil
Tue, 07/26/2011 - 16:30 — ckassLiptzin, D., and Silver,W.L. (2009) Effects of carbon additions
on iron reduction and phosphorus availability in a humid
tropical forest soil. Soil Biol Biochem 41: 1696–1702.
Abstract:
chemical
cycling through its interactions with carbon (C) and phosphorus (P).We used a laboratory study
to explore the role of C quantity and quality in Fe reduction and associated P mobilization in tropical
forest soils. Soils were incubated under an ambient atmosphere headspace (room air) with multiple
levels of leaf litter leachate or acetate additions. Net Fe reduction occurred in all the treatments and at
every time point. The more complex mixture of organic compounds in leaf litter leachate stimulated Fe
reduction as much acetate, an easily fermentable C source. At the end of the experiment, Fe reduction
was generally greater with higher C additions than in the low C additions and controls. The microbial
biomass P had increased significantly suggesting rapid microbial uptake of P liberated from Fe. This
occurred without increases in the available (NaHCO3) P pool. The immobilization of P by microbes during
the incubation provides a P conservation mechanism in these soils with fluctuating redox potential, and
may ultimately stimulate more C cycling in these highly productive ecosystems. Iron cycling appears to
be an important source of P for the biota and can contribute significantly to C oxidation in upland tropical
forest soils.
