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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #335097
Title: Fungal-bacterial ratio as an indicator of forest soil health in single-tree selection and clearcut harvests

Author
item TAYLOR, ALEXANDER - University Of Missouri
item GOYNE, KEITH - University Of Missouri
item KABRICK, JOHN - Us Forest Service (FS)
item Veum, Kristen

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2017
Publication Date: 2/1/2017
Citation: Taylor, A.W., Goyne, K.W., Kabrick, J.M., Veum, K.S. 2017. Fungal-bacterial ratio as an indicator of forest soil health in single-tree selection and clearcut harvests [abstract]. Missouri Natural Resources Conference, February 1-3, 2017, Osage Beach, Missouri. p. 45.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objectives of this study are to examine the effect of clearcut and single-selection tree harvest on soil microbial communities and to determine the value of bacterial:fungal ratio as an indicator of forest soil health. Soil samples (0 – 5 cm) were collected at the Missouri Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP) in southern Missouri. The experimental design contains treatment (clearcut, single-tree selection and control) by relative nutrient status (low versus medium) plots, and sites were harvested in 2011. Samples were analyzed for Phospholipid Fatty Acids, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH and activities of the soil enzymes: beta-glucosidase; beta-glucosaminidase; arylsulphatase; and acid phosphomonoesterase. The results of preliminary statistical analysis of the bacterial:fungal ratio and other PLFA-derived indicators in treatment plots will be presented. The results suggest limited utility of the bacterial:fungal ratio as a soil health indicator for Ozark timber harvests.