Document: BAR-3-58-26

Effects of canopy herbivory on soil respiration.

REYNOLDS, B.C.* and M.D.HUNTER

Univeristy of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA 1

Abstract:
Previous studies have suggested that herbivory in forest canopies could influence forest floor processes such as nutrient cycling and decomposition. We were interested in studying the combined effects of elevation and herbivore inputs on soil respiration. We set up 5 treatments at 3 sites along an elevation gradient at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, North Carolina. The treatments were additions of frass, additions of enriched throughfall, greenfall exclusion, litter exclusion, and controls. Measurements of soil respiration and soil temperature were conducted with a PP Systems Soil Respiration Meter from May through October, 1998. Although precipitation and soil temperature had the strongest effects on soil respiration, frass and throughfall additions appeared to stimulate respiration at our high elevation site. Thus a direct link was demonstrated between canopy herbivory and an important soil process.

Keywords: canopy herbivory, elevation gradient, frass, soil respiration, throughfall

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This abstract is being presented at: 10:30 AM in session:
Poster Session #13: Decomposition and Soil Respiration.