Disruption of calcium nutrition at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (New Hampshire) alters the health and productivity of red spruce and sugar maple trees and provides lessons pertinent to other sites and regions

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  • Authors: Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J.
  • Publication Year: 2010
  • Publication Series: Other
  • Source: In: Rentch, James S.; Schuler, Thomas M., eds. 2010. Proceedings from the conference on the ecology and management of high-elevation forests in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains. 2009 May 14-15; Slatyfork, WV. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-64. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 190-200.

Abstract

Pollution-induced acidification and other anthropogenic factors are leaching calcium (Ca) and mobilizing aluminum (Al) in many forest soils. Because Ca is an essential nutrient and Al is a potential toxin, resulting depletions of Ca and increases in available Al may significantly alter the health and productivity of forest trees. Controlled experiments on red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) seedlings--species experiencing decline in the field--have documented physiological disruptions specific to Ca deficiency. More importantly, field studies at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) in New Hampshire have shown that Ca additions that increase soil Ca levels to those estimated to exist prior to pollutant-induced Ca leaching, reverse many of the symptoms of red spruce and sugar maple decline.

  • Citation: Schaberg, Paul G.; Hawley, Gary J. 2010. Disruption of calcium nutrition at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (New Hampshire) alters the health and productivity of red spruce and sugar maple trees and provides lessons pertinent to other sites and regions. In: Rentch, James S.; Schuler, Thomas M., eds. 2010. Proceedings from the conference on the ecology and management of high-elevation forests in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains. 2009 May 14-15; Slatyfork, WV. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-64. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 190-200.
  • Posted Date: September 1, 2010
  • Modified Date: September 1, 2010

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