Date of Award
12-14-2020
Semester of Degree
December
Document Type
Restricted Access Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Forest and Natural Resources Management
Department
Environmental and Forest Biology
Major Professor
John Drake
Steering Committee Member
Greg Lawrence
Steering Committee Member
Colin Beier
Abstract
Acidic deposition is a major anthropogenic disturbance which has had a detrimental and long- lasting impacts on forests in the northeastern United States. While acidic deposition has known effects on forests, the mechanistic effects on tree physiology are not understood. We examine the effects of acidic deposition on northeastern forests in two ways: (1) we measure foliar respiration and chemistry of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia) to gauge the impacts on tree metabolism, (2) we examine the radial growth response of three under studied northern hardwood species to a watershed liming treatment. Our results suggest (1) foliar chemistry is strongly impacted by acidification, but foliar respiration is not and (2) radial growth of American beech, red maple (Acer rubrum) and red spruce (Picea rubens) does not respond significantly to liming. These results contribute to our understanding of how Northern hardwood forests have been impacted by acidic deposition.
Recommended Citation
Wills, Arianna, "Tree Physiology, Nutrient Dynamics, and the Legacy of Acidic Deposition within the Adirondack Mountains of New York, USA" (2020). Dissertations and Theses. 212.
https://digitalcommons.esf.edu/etds/212