Effects of An Introduced Pest on the C and N Dynamics of a Northern Hardwood Forest

外来有害生物对北方阔叶林碳氮动态的影响美国东部森林面临的最严重的压力之一就是外来有害生物的引入。山毛榉树皮病(BBD)的引入和随后的传播正在不可逆转地改变着覆盖东北部大部分州高原的北部阔叶林。BBD是由一种介壳虫引起的，它会伤害树皮，使一种致命的真菌疾病得以进入。由于山毛榉是北方阔叶林的优势树种之一，它的衰落可能会严重影响森林生态系统的功能。在这项以纽约州东南部卡茨基尔山为重点的研究中，研究人员将测量植被、土壤以及生产力和养分循环等基本生态系统功能对BBD的反应。洛维特博士和他的同事们还将调查BBD如何与这些森林面临的另一个严重压力相互作用--氮氧化物空气污染物释放的过量氮气。

Abstract99-81503LovettEffects of an Introduced Pest on the Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics of a Northern Hardwood ForestOne of the most severe stresses on forests of the eastern US is the introduction of exotic pests. The introduction and subsequent spread of the Beech Bark Disease (BBD) is irreversibly altering the northern hardwood forests that cover the uplands of most of the northeastern states. The BBD is initiated by a scale insect that wounds the bark of a tree, allowing entry of a fatal fungal disease. Because beech is one of the dominant trees of the northern hardwood forest, its decline is likely to seriously affect the functioning of the forest ecosystem. In this study, which will focus on the Catskill Mountains of southeastern NY, the investigators will measure the response to the BBD of the vegetation, soils, and basic ecosystem functions like productivity and nutrient cycling. Dr. Lovett and colleagues will also investigate how the BBD interacts with another serious stress to these forests-overabundance of nitrogen delivered by nitrogen oxide air pollutants.