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Study Number: |
2005 |
|---|---|
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Project Title: |
The effects of rhododendron removal and hurricane windthrow upon the decomposition of Rhododendron maximum and Quercus prinus litter. |
|
Investigator(s): |
David C. Coleman
Biographical Sketch
(Retired) Christina Wright Note: Researcher is retired. For further information regarding this project, please contact: Coweeta LTER Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory 3160 Coweeta Lab Road Otto, North Carolina 28763 USA Telephone: 828.524.2128 | FAX: 828.369.6768 |
| Affiliated Institution(s): | University of Georgia |
| Address: |
University of Georgia Ecology Annex Athens Georgia 30602-2360 USA |
| Study Category: | Riparian |
| Project Type: | Type 1 |
| Study Period: |
11/1993 - 12/1997 |
| Status/Notes: |
Project closed.
Study 1 (pre-treatment): December 1993 -
December 1995 |
Funding Source(s): |
National Science Foundation, Grants DEB-9632854 (Text Version) and DEB-0218001 (Text Version) to Coweeta LTER. |
| Abstract: | Two year litter decomposition studies of Rhododendron maximum and Quercus prinus were carried out in order to examine the effects of rhododendron removal and hurricane windthrow upon ecosystem decomposition rates. Study one, the pretreatment decomposition study, examined the rates of litter decomposition and carbon and nitrogen changes in decomposing litter across the watershed. Study two examined these same processes and their responses to hurricane windthrow and the removal of the dominant understory shrub, R. maximum. For both studies, air dried litter was placed in 1mm nylon mesh litterbags which were placed in the field along transects at 1, 5, and 15 meters distance from the stream. |
| Location(s), Described: |
Watershed 55. See LTER Riparian Project Area for detailed photographs of locations. |
| Location(s), Download GPS: |
ArcView Shape Files (shp.): UTM,
NAD83, Zone 17 | Lat/Lon Note: Files originated from Project 2007 conducted at Watershed 55. |
| Location(s), Online Map(s): |
 USGS Topographic-based Maps of Research Sites(Printable for fieldwork) Note: Map originated from Project 2007 conducted at Watershed 55. |
| Methods/Experimental Design: | Approximately 5 grams of air dried litter were weighed and placed in 1 mm nylon mesh litterbags. The litterbags were placed in the field along 10 meter transects located 1, 5, and 15 meters distance from the stream. Three replicate litterbags of each species were selected randomly for collection along each transect and at both sites (Cut and Storm). Upon collection, oven dried, cleaned free of dirt particles and weighed. Following this dry weight, litter was ground in a spex ball mill and ashed at 500 C for 4 hours for the ash free dry weight. Ground litter was also analyzed for total C and N content using the Carlo Erba Total C and N analyzer. |
| Sampling Frequency: | Seasonal samplings of litterbags occurred in December, March, June, and September each year for two years. |
| Data Columns: | Not applicable. Note: Dissertation serves as data for this project. |
| Publications: |
Wright, Christina Jane. 1998. The effects of man-made and natural disturbance events upon soil microbial biomass, soil fauna, soil nutrient cycling, and litter decomposition in the southern Appalachians. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Georgia. |
| Data Restrictions: | Users must adhere to the Coweeta LTER Data Policy. |
| Metadata: | EML Format (XML Schema) | Information about EML |
| Data Downloads: |
Note: Dissertation
serves as data for this project. Wright, Christina Jane. 1998. The effects of man-made and natural disturbance events upon soil microbial biomass, soil fauna, soil nutrient cycling, and litter decomposition in the southern Appalachians. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Georgia. |