Date of Award
Fall 12-17-2019
Semester of Degree
December
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Environmental Science
Major Professor
Ruth Yanai
Steering Committee Member
Timothy J. Fahey
Steering Committee Member
Melany C. Fisk
Steering Committee Member
Mariann Johnston
Abstract
Understanding how trees respond to nutrient availability and allocate nutrients is important in addressing nutrient status and limitation in various ecosystems. While nutrient limitation status is well documented in some ecosystems, it is not consistent in northeastern temperate forests. And few studies have compared responses of multiple species to nutrient availability. In this study, we examined the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus addition on foliar N and P across ten forest stands in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Unsurprisingly, foliar N and P, overall, increased when the respective nutrient was added; the percent increase in foliar P was much higher than that of foliar N. However, they exhibited decreases when the other nutrient was added. Pin cherry had higher foliar N and P concentrations than American beech, red maple, sugar maple, white birch, and yellow birch. With this information on foliar N and P, we hope to improve upon thresholds of N:P ratios previously reported to indicate N versus P limitation.
Recommended Citation
Hong, Daniel Sunghoon, "Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus addition on foliar nutrient concentrations of six northern hardwood species" (2019). Dissertations and Theses. 174.
https://digitalcommons.esf.edu/etds/174