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Title: What is the zone of influence of an individual tree on soil microbial structure and function?

Author
item Jimenez Esquilin, Aida
item O Neill, Katherine
item Feldhake, Charles
item Carter, Jerald

Submitted to: National Convention of the Society of American Foresters
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/2007
Publication Date: 10/24/2007
Citation: Jimenez Esquilin, A.E., O Neill, K.P., Feldhake, C.M., Carter, J.T. 2007. What is the zone of influence of an individual tree on soil microbial structure and function?. In: Proceedings of the National Society of American Foresters meeting, October 24-26, 2007, Portland, Oregon. 2007 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia, landscape fragmentation results in areas with gradual blending of forests and pastures ecosystems. Studies that address changes across ecological gradients must take into consideration the zone of influence of each ecosystem to ensure that samples taken represent maximally each individual ecosystem. A study was conducted to determine the zone of influence of individual black walnut and Chinese chestnut trees (Juglans nigra and Castanea mollisima, respectively) on soil microbial communities using community level physiological profiles and molecular methods. We collected soil samples at 5 distances from the tree trunk (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 m) and compared these samples to a nearby pasture area. Some preliminary results show changes in microbial community structure and function related to distance from the tree and varying between tree species. Our results suggest that soil microbial communities might be under the tree influence even 4 m away from the tree and do not reflect necessarily the pasture signature. These results illustrate the complications of soil sampling in mixed land use systems.