Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Dissertation_ShinjiniGoswami.pdf (5.06 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Investigating nutrient co-limitation in northern hardwood forests

Goswami, Shinjini
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1454-7328
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1501414320563565

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology.
Availability and recycling of nutrients constrain primary productivity in many ecosystems. Current ecosystem theories have evolved from an earlier paradigm of limitation of ecosystem productivity by a single nutrient to that of co-limitation by multiple nutrients. Nutrient co-limitation is inferred when ecosystem productivity increases more in response to two nutrients added together than to either nutrient added alone. In this dissertation, I present several related studies that explore ecosystem-, community- and species-level nutrient limitation/co-limitation in northern hardwood forests. The goal of my dissertation is to examine various mechanisms that can mediate ecosystem-level nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) co-limitation by linking research at three levels of hierarchy: belowground processes, whole plant (seedlings) and ecosystem-level (mature trees). Chapter 1: Phosphorus limitation of aboveground production in northern hardwood forests. According to theories of long-term ecosystem development, forest productivity on glacially derived soils with weatherable P is expected to be limited by N. Using a full factorial N x P fertilization, this chapter examines aboveground productivity response to N and P additions, and presents evidence for P limitation of aboveground growth. I did not find evidence for N and P co-limitation of tree growth, but increased growth response to P could be a consequence of long-term anthropogenic N deposition in these forests. This chapter is in revision in Ecology. Chapter 2: Phosphorus reduces nitrogen availability in northern hardwood forests. Uptake and recycling by plants and soil microorganisms exert control on the stoichiometry of available nutrients, potentially influencing ecosystem responses to perturbations that alter resource availability. This chapter tested whether an excess of one nutrient influenced the availability of another and found that fertilizing with P decreased the availability of N, especially when P was added in combination with N. Interactions between N and P have implications for mechanisms that could mediate N and P co-limitation over time. This chapter is in preparation for submission to Biogeochemistry. Chapter 3: Seedling survival and allocation responses to nutrient additions in northern hardwood temperate forests. This chapter explores whether seedling growth and survivorship is limited by nutrient availability, and I found clear evidence of N addition suppressing seedling survivorship in American beech and sugar maple. These results further demonstrate that improved nutrition could have potential indirect effects such as herbivory damage which could be related to a negative effect of N on regeneration in these forests. This chapter is in preparation for submission to Journal of Ecology.
Melany Fisk (Advisor)
Thomas Crist (Committee Member)
Michael Vanni (Committee Member)
David Gorchov (Committee Member)
M. H. H Stevens (Committee Member)
118 p.
Ecology
co-limitation, northern hardwoods, nitrogen, phosphorus, aboveground production, soil nutrient availability, seedling survival

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Goswami, S. (2017). Investigating nutrient co-limitation in northern hardwood forests [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1501414320563565

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Goswami, Shinjini. Investigating nutrient co-limitation in northern hardwood forests. 2017. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1501414320563565.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Goswami, Shinjini. "Investigating nutrient co-limitation in northern hardwood forests." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1501414320563565

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1501414320563565
658
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.