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Study Number: |
1088 |
|---|---|
|
Project Title: |
Comparison of polyphenol degrading enzyme activities between forest types and soil horizons. |
|
Investigator(s): |
Ron Hendrick Biographical
Sketch | E-Mail |
Tel. 706.542.1385 Nina Wurzburger E-Mail | Tel. 706.542.1385 |
| Affiliated Institution(s): | University of Georgia |
| Address: |
Warnell School of Forest
Resources University of Georgia Athens, Georgia USA 30602 |
| Study Type: | Terrestrial |
| Project Type: | Type 1 |
| Study Period: |
07/2003-08/2004 |
| Status/Notes: |
|
| Funding Sources: |
National Science Foundation and Warnell School of Forest Resources |
| Abstract: | In the southern Appalacians Rhododendron maximum thickets suppress conifer and hardwood regeneration. While there has been research on the effects of R. maximum on physical and chemical environment, the functioning of R. maximum ericoid mycorrhizas has been unexplored. The litter of ericaceous plants tends to be rich in phenolic compounds. These compounds can form recalcitrant complexes with various forms of organic N, and may be responsible for lowering decomposition and N mineralization rates. While polyphenol-organic N complexes are highly recalcitrant, some fungi, particularly ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, have the ability to access this sequestered N. Since the litter of ericaceous plants is rich in phenolic compounds and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi are equipped to degrade phenolic compounds, polyphenol-organic N complexing may represent an N cycling strategy that prevents non-ericaceous plants from accessing sources of organic N. We propose to examine the activities of polyphenol degrading enzymes in the soil of R. maximum thickets and neighboring hardwood forests. |
| Location(s), Described: | 1) north side of road near Bearpen Gap, 1 mile from junction 2) north side of road near Big Butt, 0.6 mile from junction 3) north side of road near Big Butt, 0.4 mile from junction 4) Wolf Pit Gap 5) Between Wolf Pit Gap and Tower site, watershed 27. |
| Location(s), Download GPS: | ArcView Shape Files (shp.): Decimal Degrees | UTM, NAD83, Zone 17 |
| Location(s), Online Maps: | Online Map |
| Methods/Experimental Design: | This study is a short-term and non-site-altering. Destructive sampling is limited to small soil cores. This research will not preclude any current or future use of the sites. Along high elevation ridges in Coweeta, we will establish five blocks of paired 3 m x 3m plots in R. maximum thickets and neighboring hardwood stands. In each plot, we will collect one composite sample for three soil horizons (Oi, Oa and A). Each sample will be a composite of 7-10 cores of approximately 15 g. Soil samples will be taken to the laboratory for enzyme analysis of polyphenol oxidase. Additional (approximately 100 g) litter and humus samples will be analyzed for polyphenols. |
| Sampling Frequency: | Each plot will be sampled once for enzyme analysis in July/August of 2003 with subsequent visits in September for sampling of litter and humus. |
| Data Columns: |
N/A |
| Publications: |
None. |
| Data Restrictions: | Users must adhere to the Coweeta LTER Data Policy. |
| Metadata: |
EML Format (XML Schema) |
Information
about EML 1088.TXT |
| Data Downloads: | No data submitted as of November 2006. |