Summer 2018 Forestry Plots: Leaf Habit versus Mycorrhizal Fungi Association: A Framework for Predicting Temperate Tree Species Effects on Soil [Duplicate] (3.89297)
Date: 2018Type: Dataset
Description:
Tree species affect the biogeochemistry of soil differently. Understanding these effects provides not only insight into current forest function, but also better informs predictions of how shifting forest composition will influence soils in the future. Our objective was to assess if a tree species’ phylogenetic leaf habit or mycorrhizal fungi association is a better predictor of soil biogeochemistry in temperate forests. This study took place in single-species forestry plots throughout the Morton Arboretum (DuPage County, IL). Plots varied by leaf habit (evergreen or deciduous) and known mycorrhizal fungi association (ectomycorrhizal or arbuscular). We collected a composite sample of four cores per plot in June 2018 from both the forest floor (0-5 cm) and mineral soil (5-15 cm) layers. The soil layers were analyzed separately using a two-way ANOVA (P < 0.05, DF=1). We found that both leaf habit and mycorrhizal fungi association can predict a tree’s effects upon soil, and that which factor is the better predictor depends on the nutrient process being measured. In both soil layers, leaf habit predicts percent organic matter (P= 0.0128) and carbon mineralization (P= 0.0095). A linear regression suggested that carbon mineralization is driven by percent organic matter (R² = 0.7482, P= 5.079 e -12). Both leaf habit and type of mycorrhizal fungi association predict C:N ratio in the forest floor layer (Leaf P= 0.0263, Fungi P= 0.0005). Type of mycorrhizal association predicted differences in forest floor pH (P= 0.0001). A linear regression suggested that 30% of differences in pH were driven by exchangeable calcium (Ca2+) (R² = 0.3038, P= 0.0004943). As arbuscular associating trees (usually deciduous) become more dominant in the Chicago region, a trait based framework for predicting soil nutrient changes could aid in the management and mitigation of nutrient cycling and overall ecosystem productivity.
Tree Growth Data (3.67114)
Date: 2019Type: Dataset
Description:Tropical rainforests provide a multitude of ecosystem services and hold a large role in the global carbon cycle, but they are currently under threat by deforestation and anthropogenic influences. Understanding factors that increase tree growth can help protect and conserve tropical ecosystems. The Earth Forest Fertilization Experiment (EFFEX) is a nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrient addition experiment that has been conducted at EARTH University located in Guacimo, Limon, Costa Rica. It is a full factorial block setup with 24 plots that have been fertilized twice per year since 2007 and where a variety of biological parameters have been measured, including diameter at breast height (dbh) of all trees larger than 10cm dbh. Our study explores how the effects of chronic fertilization affect tree growth over a decade. We hypothesized that P treatment would result in increased mean growth rates because P is thought to be a limiting nutrient in lowland tropical rainforests. However, we found that there is not a significant effect of additional nutrient application and tree growth at the community level. This may be attributed to Liegis law of the minimum due to another limiting resource that is preventing an increase in biomass and primary productivity. At the species level, there was not a significant effect of additional nutrient application and tree growth for Pentaclethra macroloba. There was a significant effect of additional nutrient application of N and P separately for Socratea exorrhiza. Our results can be used to better understand resource limitation in tropical rainforests and competition between neighboring trees.
Using Open Source Data to Identify Conservation Priorities at Large Spatial Scales (3.67073)
Date: 2019Type: Dataset
Description:We are in the middle of the sixth mass extinction, due in part to the intensification of human land use. Therefore it is vital to quickly and effectively identify species at risk of extinction if we are to save them. The effects of human land use can extend beyond habitat loss by severing gene flow between subpopulations, making them more susceptible to inbreeding depression. These genetic effects have a negative impact on species viability and need to be considered in long-term conservation planning. One way to address this is by assessing the vulnerability of populations that are unable to reproduce with one another due to habitat fragmentation. In this study we used open source satellite imagery and species occurrence data to create a method for assessing the vulnerability of subpopulations of species. We selected ten focal species of Quercus found in Japan to develop this methodology and were able to identify four subpopulations that are likely threatened. With these data, we were able to identify local gardens and protected areas best situated to aid these subpopulations. Our methods use open source data and do not require costly field expeditions. Thus, this methodology can aid conservationists, who are often limited by cost or location, in quickly assessing the state of a species and the viability of its subpopulations.
Comparison of growth and recovery in response to drought stress across wood types (3.67072)
Date: 2019Type: Dataset
Description:Droughts are one of the major phenomena that affect the development and growth of trees. That is why this study was carried out in order to know which trees are more efficient at the time of recovery and continue to grow after having suffered a year of drought. To this end, samples were taken from the rings of 12 tree species found in The Morton Arboretum in Illinois. These were dried, assembled and sanded, to then facilitate the measurements of their widths for each year of rings, thus obtaining an average group of years where the trees were almost completely affected. After our initial belief that the non-porous trees were more suitable in times of drought, we found that porous trees, or even more specific diffuse trees, are more suitable in the event of droughts.
The Impacts of Fine Root Mass and Soil Nitrogen Availability on Nitrogen Uptake Rate in Trees (3.67056)
Date: 2019Type: Dataset
Description:
Recent developments in Earth System Models have granted researchers attempting to model global climate change significant new ability (Fisher et al., 2017). These models use carbon dioxide output and sequestration rates to calculate atmospheric CO2 levels and the Earth’s potential to trap heat (Dybzinski, 2019). However, the models are only as good as the assumptions they make; due to a lack of research into the topic, different terrestrial models commonly make contradictory assumptions about the roles of nitrogen availability and fine root mass in a tree’s rate of nitrogen uptake, leading to inaccuracy and inconsistency (Dybzinski et al., 2019). As most of North American tree growth is nitrogen-limited, the rate at which a particular species is able to absorb nitrogen is critical to its ability to grow and take up carbon--and to the models aiming to predict these rates. In this study, we attempted to quantify the true roles of each factor in tree nitrogen uptake rate and predicted that nitrogen availability would have far greater effect than fine root mass. In 18 single-species plots at the Morton Arboretum, we obtained the nitrate and ammonium availability per area, fine root mass of target species per area, and nitrogen uptake rate of the plot’s target species trees per area. We found that there is blankity blank relationship between fine root mass and uptake rate and absolutely blank relationship between nitrogen availability and uptake rate. We hope that these results will be incorporated into existing ESM models to allow for more accurate assessments of forests across the world and to inform efforts to understand global carbon sequestration.
Morton Forestry Plots: Phenocams and Leaves (3.63439)
Date: 2019Type: Dataset
Description:Time-lapse "Phenocams" (Trail Cams) have been installed around the Arboretum targeting the 18 core Forestry Plots. These cameras capture a series of images of the leaf canopy 5 to 24 times each day throughout the year. The recorded images will then be analyzed by the field-specific software, PhenocamW64, which will estimate a greenness index representing the timing of leaf production, senescence, and relative density of tree canopy across the year.
Raw and clean data may be made available from the Root Lab with reasonable request. Final datasets will also be housed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Morton Forestry Plots: Dendrometer Bands and Woody Stems (3.63438)
Date: 2019Type: Dataset
Description:"TreeHugger" Digital dendrometers were installed on 87 trees across the 18 core Forestry Plots in April of 2019. From these, measurements of stem diameter will be recorded every 15 minutes continuously across the year. The measurements have an accuracy of approximately 50 microns, enabling the monitoring of both seasonal patterns of stem growth as well as diurnal patterns of stem shrinking and swelling associated with water loss and gain within the tree trunk.
Raw and cleaned data may be made available from the Root Lab with reasonable request. Final datasets will also be housed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Morton Forestry Plots: Minirhizotrons and Roots (3.63437)
Date: 2019Type: Dataset
Description:Minirhizotron tubes were installed in 18 Forestry plots covering 13 species around The Morton Arboretum in the early summer of 2018. Beginning in spring of 2019, images are being collected on a roughly bi-weekly to monthly time scale from the tubes using a minirhizotron camera. From these images, the seasonal growth patterns and lifespan of fine roots can be monitored.
Final datasets will be made free and publicly accessible through the Fine-Root Ecology Database (FRED; http://roots.ornl.gov/). Raw data may be made available with reasonable request.
Foliar Nutrient Concentrations of Understory Plants in a Chronically Fertilized Lowland Tropical Wet Forest in Costa Rica (3.57734)
Date: 2018Type: Dataset
Description:
Nutrient availability influences key processes for plants in all ecosystems with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) most limiting terrestrial ecosystems. Foliar N and P concentrations have been commonly used as indicators of plant nutritional status. Tropical forests are known to have the highest foliar N:P globally which mirrors a greater degree of P limitation compared to other forests. We tested how plants respond to chronic N and P fertilization by analyzing soil and foliar N and P concentrations from a long term fertilization experiment in Costa Rica. As foliar nutrient concentrations often reflect soil nutrient availability, we had found that this may not have been the case for our samples. Total soil N had not changed significantly but foliar N was affected. We also found that available soil P had increased with chronic fertilization but foliar P was unaffected. There was an overall species effect on foliar nutrient concentrations reflecting the plant specific response to nutrient additions. Here we have added to the knowledge of how plants in tropical forests respond to changes in nutrient availability is important to predict how they will respond to anthropogenic alterations in nutrient cycles, such as N deposition.
Species richness protects prairie species from vole herbivory (3.57727)
Date: 2018Type: Dataset
Summer 2018 Forestry Plots: Leaf Habit versus Mycorrhizal Fungi Association: A Framework for Predicting Temperate Tree Species Effects on Soil (3.57672)
Date: 2018Type: Dataset
Description:
Tree species affect the biogeochemistry of soil differently. Understanding these effects provides not only insight into current forest function, but also better informs predictions of how shifting forest composition will influence soils in the future. Our objective was to assess if a tree species’ phylogenetic leaf habit or mycorrhizal fungi association is a better predictor of soil biogeochemistry in temperate forests. This study took place in single-species forestry plots throughout the Morton Arboretum (DuPage County, IL). Plots varied by leaf habit (evergreen or deciduous) and known mycorrhizal fungi association (ectomycorrhizal or arbuscular). We collected a composite sample of four cores per plot in June 2018 from both the forest floor (0-5 cm) and mineral soil (5-15 cm) layers. The soil layers were analyzed separately using a two-way ANOVA (P < 0.05, DF=1). We found that both leaf habit and mycorrhizal fungi association can predict a tree’s effects upon soil, and that which factor is the better predictor depends on the nutrient process being measured. In both soil layers, leaf habit predicts percent organic matter (P= 0.0128) and carbon mineralization (P= 0.0095). A linear regression suggested that carbon mineralization is driven by percent organic matter (R² = 0.7482, P= 5.079 e -12). Both leaf habit and type of mycorrhizal fungi association predict C:N ratio in the forest floor layer (Leaf P= 0.0263, Fungi P= 0.0005). Type of mycorrhizal association predicted differences in forest floor pH (P= 0.0001). A linear regression suggested that 30% of differences in pH were driven by exchangeable calcium (Ca2+) (R² = 0.3038, P= 0.0004943). As arbuscular associating trees (usually deciduous) become more dominant in the Chicago region, a trait based framework for predicting soil nutrient changes could aid in the management and mitigation of nutrient cycling and overall ecosystem productivity.
Ecosystem model simulations of effects of soil and fire on prairie-forest ecosystem states (3.57671)
Date: 2018 – 2019Type: Dataset
Description:In the Midwest, woodland and prairie ecosystems historically existed side-by-side, with sharp transitions between the two. Understanding how this boundary developed is crucial to understanding how climate change will affect this boundary. Fire, soil water holding capacity, and climate play major roles in ecosystem development on a global scale. However, their roles are difficult to discern at the local scale. We designed a factorial experiment that tested the effects of climate as a driver and two soil parameters that regulate fire events: texture, which regulates soil water holding capacity, and the moisture threshold, which prevents fire from occurring. We ran the model Ecosystem Demography 2.0 (ED2) for 500 years, allowing the ecosystems to self-assemble into a simplified grass-oak system via primary succession. With fire turned off, none of the ecosystems developed into a prairie. With fire turned on, the fire return interval varied between 1 and 8 years. Interestingly, a longer fire return interval of 7 to 8 years generated forested ecosystems in soils with a high water holding capacity and prairie ecosystems in soils with a low water holding capacity. This suggests that both fire and soil are important influences in the development of prairie ecosystems.
Waterfowl Survey (3.57621)
Date: 1998Creator: Kelsey, Pat, Hanzely, Thomas
Type: Dataset
Description:Daily waterfowl counts for Meadow, Marmo and Sterling.
Survey Data (3.57620)
Date: 1999Creator: Hanzely, Thomas
Type: Dataset
Description:Survey data for Meadow Lake. Bench Mark data for both Sterling and Marmo. Well elevations for ground water monitoring wells 1, 2, and 3.
Storm Event Water Sample (3.57619)
Date: 1999Creator: Hanzely, Thomas
Type: Dataset
Description:pH, D.O., Conductivity data from 4-23-99 Storm event.
Meadow Lake Erosion Survey (3.57617)
Date: July 13 1999Creator: Hanzely, Thomas
Type: Dataset
Description:Erosion survey data for Meadow Lake.
Lakes: Staff Gauge Data (3.57616)
Date: May 4 1998Creator: Kelsey, Pat, Hanzely, Thomas
Type: Dataset
Description:Daily staff gauge data for Meadow, Marmo, and Sterling. Graphs illustrate water levels over time.
Elm Collection Water Wells Particle Size Analysis (3.57615)
Date: December 3 1998Creator: Kelsey, Pat
Type: Dataset
Description:Particle size analysis data on well boring soils.
Elm Collection Water Table Elevations (3.57614)
Date: July 17 1998Creator: Kelsey, Pat, Hanzely, Thomas
Type: Dataset
Description:Water table elevations for well 1,2, and 3.
Elm Collection Water Table and Meadow Lake Staff Gauge (3.57613)
Date: July 17 1998Creator: Kelsey, Pat, Hanzely, Thomas
Type: Dataset
Description:Data for ground water monitoring wells, Meadow lake staff gauge data and daily precipitation. Attached graphic represents wells vs. Meadow lake staff gauge and precipitation.
Elevations: Staff Gauges, Wells (3.57612)
Date: July 13 1999Creator: Hanzely, Thomas
Type: Dataset
Description:Elevations of all three lake Staff gauges and ground watering monitoring wells in Elm collection.
Data: Sterling (3.57611)
Date: May 15 1998Creator: Kelsey, Pat
Type: Dataset
Description:Data for Clean Lakes Program from Sterling Pond. Lists total depth, secchi, D.O., Temp. pH phenothaline alk., total alk., and light profile.
Data: Overflow (3.57610)
Creator: Kelsey, Pat
Type: Dataset
Description:Data for Clean Lakes Program from Willoway Creek outflow. Lists D.O., Temp. pH phenothaline alk., and total alk.
Data: Meadow (3.57609)
Date: May 15 1998Creator: Kelsey, Pat
Type: Dataset
Description:Data for Clean Lakes Program from Meadow Lake. Lists total depth, secchi, D.O., Temp. pH phenothaline alk., total alk., and light profile.
Data: Marmo (3.57608)
Date: May 13 1998Creator: Kelsey, Pat
Type: Dataset
Description:Data for Clean Lakes Program from Lake Marmo. Lists total depth, secchi, D.O., Temp. pH phenothaline alk., total alk., and light profile.
Data: Inflow (3.57607)
Date: May 13 1998Creator: Kelsey, Pat
Type: Dataset
Description:Data for Clean Lakes Program from Willoway Creek inflow. Lists D.O., Temp. pH phenothaline alk., and total alk.
LaRue Pine Hills Tree Cores (3.44170)
Creator: Bowles, Marlin L.
Type: Dataset
Description:The dataset includes tree cores from approximately 150 trees in southern Illinois.
Phenology of Oaks from around the world (3.44169)
Date: 2017 – 2018Creator: Rollinson, Christine R.
Type: Dataset
Description:Phenology monitoring is being conducted by Rollinson, Duckett, and multiple volunteers in the spring, summer, and fall beginning in 2017. The dataset currently includes 73 oak trees in The Morton Arboretum Oak Collection. Monitoring is conducted once per week, and traits monitored include bud burst, leaves, leaf size, leaf color, leaf fall, flowers/flower buds, open flowers, pollen release, fruits, ripe fruits, and fruit/seed drop. Monitoring follows National Phenology Network (NPN) protocols. Trees were selected to include up to three individuals, randomly selected, from major North American and European species.
Timing of stem growth for Oaks from around the world (3.44168)
Date: 2010 – 2018Creator: Rollinson, Christine R.
Type: Dataset
Description:Dendrometer band installation was performed by Rollinson and Duckett, and monitoring will be performed by these two along with volunteers. Installation protocols can be found here. Monitoring will be conducted once per week, year-round on 32 oak trees in The Morton Arboretum Oak Collection. Diameter at breast height (DBH) and circumference are measured at the time of dendrometer installation, and the weekly measurements will show the increase in circumference over time, which may be converted to diameter if necessary. Trees were selected that were native to the Chicago area of Illinois, were accessioned before the year 2000 so they would be large enough to install dendrometer bands, and had at least three individuals fitting the first two criteria. The English oak, Quercus robur, was also included.
Northern Wisconsin and Michigan Tree Cores (3.44167)
Creator: Fahey, Bob
Type: Dataset
Description:The dataset contains tree ring measurements from approximately 360 trees from 10 sites in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Invasive Species Phenology (IMSA SIR 2017) (3.44164)
Date: 2017 – 2018Creator: Rollinson, Christine R.
Type: Dataset
Description:
Invasive and native forbs and shrubs were identified by Rollinson, Lie, and Dhyani, and Duckett in the King’s Grove area of the Hidden Lake Forest Preserve. Monitoring is primarily conducted by Liu and Dhyani. Forbs include invasive garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), geum, and ___. Shrubs include invasive buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), invasive honeysuckle (genus Lonicera), and black raspberry (Genus Rubus). Forb traits monitored include initial growth, leaves, flowers/flower buds, open flowers, fruits, ripe fruits, and recent fruit/seed drop. Shrub traits monitored include bud burst, leaves, leaf size, leaf color, leaf fall, flowers/flower buds, open flowers, pollen release, fruits, ripe fruits, and fruit/seed drop. Both forb and shrub monitoring follow National Phenology Network Protocols.
Chronological Change in Old-Growth Forests of the Chicago Region (3.44163)
Date: 1997 – 1998Creator: Bowles, Marlin L.
Type: Dataset
Description:Approximately 600 tree cores were collected from 24 forest stands and 4 savanna stands in the area around Chicago, Ill. Tree rings were measured using a stereo microscope on a VELMEX unislide stage, ACU-RITE linear encoder and Quick-check digital readout before being digitally processed using MeasureJ2X software. Protocols can be found in Bowles and Jones, 2008 (see below).
ILDNR/INAI Tree Cores (3.44162)
Date: 2012Creator: Fahey, Bob
Type: Dataset
Description:The dataset consists of nearly 200 tree cores from 11 different sites in northern and southern Illinois. Ring-widths were measured under magnification of a binocular microscope to the nearest 0.001 mm with a Velmex Unislide slide-stage micrometer interfaced with a computer and MeasureJ2X program.
Project conducted in 2012. Cores were collected in 1976 and 2008-2011.
Flatwoods Tree Cores (3.44161)
Date: 1997 – 1998Creator: Bowles, Marlin L.
Type: Dataset
Description:The dataset includes tree ring measurements from approximately 256 trees in the Chicago region.
Chicago Urban Forest Study (CUFS) Tree Cores (3.44160)
Date: 2013Creator: Fahey, Bob
Type: Dataset
Description:
The dataset includes approximately 650 tree core measurements from five sites. The study part of a joint project between the Forest Ecology Lab and Soil Science Lab at The Morton Arboretum. For more information, see the CUFS website.