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Forests
Special Issues
Biogeochemical Cycling in Forest Ecosystems
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Biogeochemical Cycling in Forest Ecosystems

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Soil".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 June 2022) | Viewed by 13112

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Robert G. Qualls

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
Interests: forest biogeochemistry; wetland biogeochemistry; succession and ecosystem development; effects of climatic warming and CO2 fertilization on forest soils; soil organic matter chemistry; microbial ecology; chlorine chemistry in water; ultraviolet light disinfection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Michail Orfanoudakis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 68200 Orestiada, Greece
Interests: forest soils; mycorrhizal symbiosis; gas soil emissions; roots
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The long-term productivity of forest ecosystems depends on the cycling of critical elements. In fact, the effect of carbon dioxide fertilization on forest productivity may ultimately be limited by the rate of nutrient cycling. On the other hand, there are many unique forest ecosystems that depend on oligotrophic soils (e.g., dwarf cypress forests). Contemporary and future disturbances such as climatic warming, deforestation, short rotation sylviculture, fire, and the invasion of exotic species all place strains on the integrity of this system of biogeochemistry. Global differences in climate, soils, and species make the extrapolation of even a single important study to forests worldwide difficult.

We invite submissions for a Special Issue of Forests on the subject of “Biogeochemical Cycling in Forest Ecosystems”. Topics not only include major nutrients but other micronutrients and elements that are weathered. Topics in forested wetlands are also welcome. Watershed hydrology is also an essential component of biogeochemistry. Other topics for submissions may include, but are not limited to, these contemporarily important topics:

  • Ability of increased N and P mineralization caused by soil warming to sustain increased productivity caused by CO2 fertilization;
  • Uptake, removal from soil, and cycling of nutrients during forest growth (either natural ecosystem development or growth of managed forests);
  • Species effects on nutrient cycling; dominant species traits that affect nutrient cycling;
  • Woody plant incursion;
  • Effects of invasive species or forest management practices on nutrient cycling;
  • Genomics of microorganisms involved in nutrient cycling;
  • Role of mycorrhizae in connecting roots, translocation elements, and subsidies to decomposers;
  • Root productivity and nutrient turnover;
  • Species’ traits in roots that help in adaptation to biogeochemistry;
  • Fundamental mechanisms that control P cycling in tropical forests;
  • Causes of recalcitrance in soil organic matter mineralization;
  • Novel methods in the use of stable isotopes in biogeochemistry;
  • Pathways of water in watersheds, effect on biogeochemistry.

Prof. Dr. Robert G. Qualls
Dr. Michail Orfanoudakis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biogeochemistry
  • forests
  • elemental cycles
  • soil
  • climate change
  • nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, micronutrients

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 2542 KiB  
Article
Impact of Leaf Litter and Fine Roots in the Pool of Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Accumulated in Soil in Various Scenarios of Regeneration and Reconstruction of Forest Ecosystems
by Bartłomiej Świątek and Marcin Pietrzykowski
Forests 2022, 13(8), 1207; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f13081207 - 01 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1737
Abstract
This study determined the rate of decomposition of fine roots and leaf litter from birch, larch, and pine, and compared the impact of fine root decomposition and leaf litter on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus accumulation in various regenerated and reconstructed forest ecosystems. The [...] Read more.
This study determined the rate of decomposition of fine roots and leaf litter from birch, larch, and pine, and compared the impact of fine root decomposition and leaf litter on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus accumulation in various regenerated and reconstructed forest ecosystems. The control plots were located on podzol soils in managed forest non-degraded habitats. Over a one-year experimental season, the decomposition of birch and larch fine roots released less carbon in comparison to leaf litter. The carbon mass-loss rates were 16% for birch roots and 15% for larch roots, while for birch and larch litter, the rates were 36% and 27%, respectively. For nitrogen, mass-loss rates were 48% for birch fine roots and 60% for larch and pine fine roots, whereas for pine and birch litter the rates were 14%, and 33% for larch litter. The results of our study prove the important role of fine root input to the soil’s carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus pool and additionally their significance for CO2 sequestration within the studied regenerated terrestrial ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemical Cycling in Forest Ecosystems)
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15 pages, 1974 KiB  
Article
Limited Effects of Precipitation Manipulation on Soil Respiration and Inorganic N Concentrations across Soil Drainage Classes in Northern Minnesota Aspen Forests
by Anna B. Stockstad, Robert A. Slesak, Alan J. Toczydlowski, Charles R. Blinn, Randall K. Kolka and Stephen D. Sebestyen
Forests 2022, 13(8), 1194; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f13081194 - 28 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1712
Abstract
It is critical to gain insight into the responses of forest soils to the changing climate. We simulated future climate conditions with growing season throughfall reduction (by 50%) and winter snow removal using a paired-plot design across a soil drainage class gradient at [...] Read more.
It is critical to gain insight into the responses of forest soils to the changing climate. We simulated future climate conditions with growing season throughfall reduction (by 50%) and winter snow removal using a paired-plot design across a soil drainage class gradient at three upland, Populus-dominated forests in northern Minnesota, USA. In situ bulk soil respiration and concentrations of extractable soil N were measured during the summers of 2020–2021. Soil respiration and N concentrations were not affected by throughfall reduction and snow removal, which was largely attributed to the limited treatment effects on soil moisture content and soil temperature. Drainage class was only a significant factor during the spring thaw period in 2021. During this period, the poorly drained plots had lower respiration rates compared to the well-drained plots, which was associated with the drainage class effects on soil temperature. The results of the companion laboratory incubation with varying levels of soil moisture also indicated no effect of the treatment on soil respiration, but effects of drainage class and moisture content on respiration were observed. Our results indicate that the combined effects of reduced summer and winter precipitation on soil respiration and N dynamics may be limited across the range of conditions that occurred in our study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemical Cycling in Forest Ecosystems)
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15 pages, 3195 KiB  
Article
The Linkage of Soil CO2 Emissions in a Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachysedulis (Carriere) J. Houzeau) Plantation with Aboveground and Belowground Stoichiometry
by Xiaokun Tian, Xiaogai Ge, Benzhi Zhou and Maihe Li
Forests 2021, 12(8), 1052; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12081052 - 07 Aug 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1619
Abstract
Understanding the effects of soil stoichiometry and nutrient resorption on soil CO2 emissions is critical for predicting forest ecosystem nutritional demands and limitations tooptimal forest growth. In this study, we examined the effects of above- and belowground stoichiometry on soil CO2 [...] Read more.
Understanding the effects of soil stoichiometry and nutrient resorption on soil CO2 emissions is critical for predicting forest ecosystem nutritional demands and limitations tooptimal forest growth. In this study, we examined the effects of above- and belowground stoichiometry on soil CO2 emissions and their mediating effect on soil respiration in subtropical moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) plantations. Our results showed that the soil respiration rate did not differ significantly among four bamboo stands. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) concentrations were higher in bamboo leaves than litter, whereas the C:N and C:P ratios showed the opposite trend. Significant positive correlations of soil cumulative CO2 emission with litter C:P (p = 0.012) and N:P (p = 0.041) ratios indicated that litter stoichiometry was a better predictor of soil respiration than aboveground stoichiometry. Cumulative soil CO2 emissions were significantly negatively correlated with soil microbe C:N (p = 0.021) and C:N (p = 0.036) ratios, and with soil respiratory quotients (p < 0.001). These results suggest that litter and soil stoichiometry are reliable indicators of the soil respiration rate. This study provides important information about the effects of ecosystem stoichiometry and soil microbial biomass on soil CO2 emissions and highlights them editing role of soil nutritional demands and limitations in the association between soil respiration rates and aboveground plant tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemical Cycling in Forest Ecosystems)
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14 pages, 3567 KiB  
Article
Reforestation Impacted Soil Heavy Metal Fractionation and Related Risk Assessment in the Karst Area, Southwest China
by Qian Zhang, Guilin Han and Xingliang Xu
Forests 2021, 12(7), 891; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12070891 - 08 Jul 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1816
Abstract
Human agricultural activities have resulted in widespread land degradation and soil contamination in the karst areas. However, the effects of reforestation after agricultural abandonment on the mobility risks and contamination of heavy metals have been rarely reported. In the present study, six soil [...] Read more.
Human agricultural activities have resulted in widespread land degradation and soil contamination in the karst areas. However, the effects of reforestation after agricultural abandonment on the mobility risks and contamination of heavy metals have been rarely reported. In the present study, six soil profiles were selected from cropland and abandoned cropland with reforestation in the Puding karst regions of Southwest China. The Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction method was used to evaluate the compositions of different chemical fractions of soil heavy metals, including Fe, Mn, Cr, Zn, Ni, and Cd. The total contents of Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Mn in the croplands were significantly higher than those in the abandoned croplands. For all soils, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Fe were mainly concentrated in the residual fractions (>85%), whereas Mn and Cd were mostly observed in the non-residual fractions (>65%). The non-residual fractions of Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn in the croplands were higher than those in the abandoned croplands. These results indicated that the content and mobility of soil heavy metals decreased after reforestation. The individual contamination factor (ICF) and risk assessment code (RAC) showed that Cd contributed to considerable contamination of karst soils. The global contamination factor (GCF) and potential ecological risk index (RI) suggested low contamination and ecological risk of the investigated heavy metals in the croplands, moreover they can be further reduced after reforestation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemical Cycling in Forest Ecosystems)
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14 pages, 2547 KiB  
Article
Analysis on Characteristics of Vegetation and Soil Bacterial Community under 20 Years’ Restoration of Different Tree Species: A Case Study of the Qinling Mountains
by Wanlong Sun, Xuehua Liu, Zhaoxue Tian and Xiaoming Shao
Forests 2021, 12(5), 562; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12050562 - 30 Apr 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1725
Abstract
Afforestation with different tree species formed different vegetation patterns, and altered soil properties and the composition and diversity of the soil bacterial community. In order to analyze the difference characteristics of vegetation, soil and bacterial community after 20 years’ restoration of different tree [...] Read more.
Afforestation with different tree species formed different vegetation patterns, and altered soil properties and the composition and diversity of the soil bacterial community. In order to analyze the difference characteristics of vegetation, soil and bacterial community after 20 years’ restoration of different tree species, we investigated changes in vegetation (tree, shrubs, and herbs), soil properties and the soil bacterial community composition in the topsoil (0–10 cm) following afforestation of P. asperata Mast. and L. kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr.on the southern slope of the Qinling mountains. The results showed that, within a 20-year recovery period, the restorative effect of L. kaempferi was better than that of P. asperata, for alpha diversity and biomass of vegetation, composition and diversity of soil bacterial community were all preferable under nearly same environmental conditions if just taking these indices into consideration. Additionally, biodiversity of L. kaempfer was much richer than that of P. asperata. Our observations suggest that soil physicochemical properties, soil bacterial community composition and diversity following afforestation were mainly affected by tree species. The results could explain our hypothesis to some extent that a planted forest with quick growth speed and sparse canopy has higher biomass productivity and alpha diversity of ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemical Cycling in Forest Ecosystems)
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Review

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13 pages, 1381 KiB  
Review
Iodine Fractions in Soil and Their Determination
by Eva Duborská, Michaela Matulová, Tomáš Vaculovič, Peter Matúš and Martin Urík
Forests 2021, 12(11), 1512; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f12111512 - 02 Nov 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2698
Abstract
Iodine is an essential micronutrient for most living beings, including humans. Despite efforts through various iodine deficiency disorders elimination programs, such as salt iodization, this problem still persists. Sub-clinical deficiencies have often an endemic character, and they are characteristic to certain areas, where [...] Read more.
Iodine is an essential micronutrient for most living beings, including humans. Despite efforts through various iodine deficiency disorders elimination programs, such as salt iodization, this problem still persists. Sub-clinical deficiencies have often an endemic character, and they are characteristic to certain areas, where iodine is low or inaccessible in the geochemical environment. Thus, the monitoring of iodine speciation and fractionation—especially in soil, drinking water, and food—is needed. Therefore, the aim of this work is to review the iodine distribution in most common soil fractions which relate to its bioavailability; and briefly summarize the available methods for their identification in the environmental matrices as well. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biogeochemical Cycling in Forest Ecosystems)
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