Decomposition and N cycling changes in redwood forests caused by sudden oak death
This article is part of a larger document. View the larger document here.Abstract
Phytophthora ramorum is an emergent pathogen in redwood forests which causes the disease sudden oak death. Although the disease does not kill coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), extensive and rapid mortality of tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) has removed this important tree in much of the central and southern distribution of the redwood forest type. Understanding how the pathogen has altered redwood ecosystem processes is essential to assessing the costs and benefits of disease management. However, almost no published studies have reported baseline rates of ecosystem processes for redwood forests. How substantial are P. ramorum impacts on redwood ecosystem processes? What mechanisms are responsible for ecosystem change in these forests? We conducted a series of field studies quantifying soil N cycling, litterfall, and litter decomposition to begin addressing these questions. The objective of this paper is to report baseline rates of nutrient cycling for redwood forests and summarize the overall affects of sudden oak death on these processes.