The Influence of Tree Species on Soil Organic Matter Dynamics in Temperate Forests

森林土壤的碳含量高于整个大气，因此森林土壤与大气之间的二氧化碳交换可以影响全球碳循环和气候变化。今天森林中发生的变化，包括优势树种身份的变化和外来蚯蚓物种的入侵，威胁着这些生态系统的碳平衡。不幸的是，这两种干扰对森林土壤碳储量的影响在很大程度上是未知的。这项提议的目的是研究树种和蚯蚓对土壤碳储量的影响，在波兰进行了一项独特的田间试验，在那里种植了14种不同的树种超过35年前。在这个地点，已知树种在它们所支持的蚯蚓数量和其他可能影响土壤碳的品质（包括叶子和细根特征）方面存在差异。本文提出的研究将利用先进的分子和同位素分析工具将这些已知的物种差异与土壤碳动力学的新研究联系起来。通过明确树种、蚯蚓和土壤碳储量之间的关系，可以更好地了解树种组成变化和蚯蚓入侵对森林碳平衡的影响。这些信息可用于管理美国森林的物种组成，以实现碳封存，促进参与旨在进行碳管理和减缓气候变化的经济和政治活动。

Forest soils contain more carbon than the entire atmosphere and thus the exchange of carbon dioxide between forest soils and the atmosphere can influence the global carbon cycle and climate change. Changes taking place in forests today, including shifts in the identity of dominant tree species and exotic earthworm species invasions, threaten to perturb the carbon balance of these ecosystems. Unfortunately, the effect of these two disturbances on forest soil carbon storage is largely unknown. The intent of this proposal is to study the influence of tree species and earthworms on soil carbon storage at a unique field experiment in Poland, where 14 different tree species were planted more than 35 years ago. At this site, tree species are known to differ with respect to the earthworm populations they support and other qualities that could influence soil carbon, including leaf and fine root characteristics. The research put forth in this proposal will relate these known species differences to new studies of soil carbon dynamics using advanced molecular and isotopic analytical tools. By defining clear relationships between tree species, earthworms, and soil carbon storage, the consequences of changing tree species composition and earthworm invasions on the carbon balance of forests can be better understood. This information could be used to manage the species composition of U.S. forests for the purpose of carbon sequestration, facilitating participation in economic and political pursuits aimed at carbon management and climate change mitigation.