Collaborative Research: Influences of Geology and Tree Species Composition on the Response of Forest Nutrient Dynamics to an Exotic Pest

山毛榉树皮病（一种涉及蚧虫和致病真菌的引入性复杂疾病）最初于1890年引入新斯科舍省，并已向南部和西部蔓延。本文研究了美国东北部森林（纽约州卡茨基尔山脉和新罕布什尔州怀特山脉）山毛榉树皮病害对林木群落组成和碳氮循环的影响。糖枫替代山毛榉可能会影响森林碳氮循环，因为两种树种凋落物质量存在显著差异。特别是糖枫，具有独特的碳氮循环特性。糖槭树在中等到高碱基土壤上竞争更好，而碱基状态在很大程度上取决于森林的潜在地质。本研究的主要假设是：1)地质基质会强烈影响树木群落对BBD的响应；2)树木群落组成的变化会对森林生态系统的碳氮动态产生显著影响。这个项目的广泛影响是多方面的。这项研究涉及两位处于职业生涯中期的科学家（其中一位是女性）和一位年轻科学家的合作。所有研究人员将在本研究过程中对本科生和研究生进行培训。首席研究员很好地利用了nsf资助的本科项目研究经验。本研究与外来物种引进的政策、保护和管理具有明确的联系。与大自然保护协会和东北研究合作组织的合作加强了这种联系。调查人员与TNC和NERC之间的关系增加了将结果广泛传播给决策者和非政府组织的可能性，最终有利于并告知社会保护公共资源。

Beech bark disease (an introduced disease complex involving a scale insect and a pathogenic fungus) initially was introduced into Nova Scotia in 1890 and has been spreading south and west. This research focuses on beech bark disease influences on forest tree community composition and on carbon and nitrogen cycling in northeastern U.S. forests (Catskill Mountains of New York State and the White Mountains of New Hampshire). Replacement of beech by sugar maple has the potential to influence forest carbon and nitrogen cycling because of substantial differences in litter quality between the two species. Sugar maple, in particular, has unique qualities of carbon and nitrogen cycling. Sugar maples compete better on soils of moderate to high base status, and the base status is largely determined by the underlying geology of the forest. The principal hypotheses in this project are: 1) geologic substrate will strongly influence the response of the tree community to BBD, and 2) the changes in tree community composition will have a significant effect on the carbon and nitrogen dynamics of the forest ecosystem. The broader impacts of this project are numerous. The research involves collaboration between two mid-career scientists, one of whom is female, and a young scientist. All investigators will train undergraduate and graduate students over the course of this study. The lead investigator is well poised to take advantage of the NSF-sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduate Programs in place at his institution. This research has clear connections to policy, conservation, and management concerning the effects of exotic species introductions. This connection is strengthened by collaborations with the Nature Conservancy and the Northeastern Research Cooperative. The relationship between the investigators and TNC and NERC increase the probability of broad dissemination of the results to policy makers and NGO's to ultimately benefit and inform society's conservation of public resources.