BNZ-LTER Data Catalog

Title:

Artificial Communities Seedling Growth: Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest (planted in 1989; measured in 1992, 1995, and 2002).

Contacts:

Chapin, F.S.

Abstract:

This study considers the relative role of competition and facilitation in primary succession of the boreal forest floodplain of Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest. Alder (Alnus tenuifolia Nutt.) is an early colonist of young floodplain sites, where it contributes greatly to soil development through the addition of nitrogen to the soil. White spruce (Picea glauca (Moench.) Voss) typically colonizes such sites later; it becomes established beneath a canopy of alder and willow (Salix spp.) which is sometimes overtopped by young balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.). The alder may potentially influence white spruce both positively and negatively. Possible facilitative effects include protection of small seedlings from excess heat or heavy siltation accompanying flooding and addition of soil nitrogen, an effect that may extend for many years. Competition for light (and other resources) before the white spruce has overtopped the alder canopy may prove to be a major negative effects. This study seeks to determine the net balance of these effects on the floodplain successional sequence by planting spruce seedlings with and without the presence of alder. Plots of white spruce seedlings were planted in 1989 on an early successional silt bar with and without alder in the Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest. Biomass by species and carbon and nitrogen pools of plants and soils were measured in 2002. Height and survivorship of spruce seedlings were measured in 1992, 1995, and 2002. White spruce grew more rapidly in the presence of alder during the first six years. After 13 years, however, seedlings planted with alder experienced high mortality due to intensive browsing by snowshoe hares. Alder resulted in greater total biomass and larger carbon and nitrogen pools in plants and soils.

Keywords:

Alder, carbon, facilitation, nitrogen, succession,

Categories:

Biogeochemistry
Primary Production
Soils
Stand Structure
Succession
Trophic Interactions
Vegetation

Study Period:

Jul 1, 1992 to Aug 3, 2002

Bounding Box:

West longitude: -148.2701852°
North latitude: 64.73028888°
East longitude: -148.1435205°
South latitude: 64.68584608°

Site References:

FP1B -- FP1B is located on a low early successional terrace adjacent to the Tanana River.
FP1C -- FP1C is located on a low early successional terrace adjacent to the Tanana River.

Data Columns:

Column	Name	Units	Type
1	Succession Stage		string
2	Vegetation Type		string
3	Equisetum N pool	g/m2	float
4	Woody N Pool	g/m2	float
5	Non-Woody Litter N pool	g/m2	float
6	Grass N pool	g/m2	float
7	Standing Dead Shrub N pool	g/m2	float
8	Dead Forb N pool	g/m2	float
9	Spruce New Stems N pool	g/m2	float
10	Spruce New Leaves N pool	g/m2	float
11	Spruce Old Stems N pool	g/m2	float
12	Spruce Old Leaves N pool	g/m2	float
13	Willow reproductive N pool	g/m2	float
14	Willow New Stems N pool	g/m2	float
15	Willow New Leaves N pool	g/m2	float
16	Willow Old Growth N pool	g/m2	float
17	Poplar New Stem N pool	g/m2	float
18	Poplar New Leaves N pool	g/m2	float
19	Poplar Old Growth N pool	g/m2	float
20	Alder N pool Live	g/m2	float
21	Alder N pool Dead	g/m2	float
22	Equisetum C pool	g/m2	float
23	Woody C Pool	g/m2	float
24	Non-Woody Litter C pool	g/m2	float
25	Grass C pool	g/m2	float
26	Standing Dead Shrub C pool	g/m2	float
27	Dead Forb C pool	g/m2	float
28	Spruce New Stems C pool	g/m2	float
29	Spruce New Leaves C pool	g/m2	float
30	Spruce Old Stems C pool	g/m2	float
31	Spruce Old Leaves C pool	g/m2	float
32	Willow reproductive C pool	g/m2	float
33	Willow New Stems C pool	g/m2	float
34	Willow New Leaves C pool	g/m2	float
35	Willow Old Growth C pool	g/m2	float
36	Poplar New Stem C pool	g/m2	float
37	Poplar New Leaves C pool	g/m2	float
38	Poplar Old Growth C pool	g/m2	float
39	Alder C pool Live	g/m2	float
40	Alder C pool Dead	g/m2	float
41	N Pool Organic 0-5	g/m2	float
42	N Pool Mineral 0-5	g/m2	float
43	N Pool Organic 5-20	g/m2	float
44	N Pools Mineral 5-20	g/m2	float
45	N Pool Mineral 20-100	g/m2	float
46	C Pool Organic 0-5	g/m2	float
47	C Pool Mineral 0-5	g/m2	float
48	C Pool Organic 5-20	g/m2	float
49	C Pools Mineral 5-20	g/m2	float
50	C Pool Mineral 20-100	g/m2	float

Data File(s):

344_Artificial_Commuinities.txt

Supplemental Files:

Metadata Formats:

Basic Metadata
EML

Public Release:

Apr 15, 2008

Publications:


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The Bonanza Creek LTER, including this website, is supported by the National Science Foundation through awards DEB-0620579, DEB-0423442, DEB-0080609, DEB-9810217, DEB-9211769, DEB-8702629 and by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station through agreement number RJVA-PNW-01-JV-11261952-231. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the supporting agencies or the program as a whole.

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Last modified 22-Nov-09
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BNZ-LTER Data Catalog

Basic Metadata EML

Basic Metadata
EML