Wetland soils contain a disproportionate amount of global the terrestrial carbon pool. Accordingly, understanding the basic process that regulate organic matter turnover and the associated interactions with land management practices, climate change, and other disturbance regimes is fundamental to the sustainability of that carbon pool. Correspondingly, the soil organic matter is inextricably linked to nutrient cycling and water availability, factors which regulate plant community dynamics. The Center has a broad portfolio of biogeochemical research focusing on the interactions between management regimes and carbon and nutrient cycles in a variety of wetland-dominated landscapes. The biogeochemical research is inextricably linked to the hydrologic work at the Center, since hydrology is a critical factor controlling most ecological process in wetlands.
The research is presently focused on biogeochemical responses to forest management practices, including harvesting and site preparation treatments, plantation and intensive biomass cultivation, prescribed fire and fuels management, wetland restoration, and climate change. This portfolio includes a combination of long-term field manipulation studies, long-term monitoring, and controlled experiments in laboratory and mesocosm facilities. The work is conducted on sites in the southeastern US, north central US and overseas by staff and collaborators.
While the foundation of this research area is physical studies, that work provides a foundation for the development and application of modeling tools for research and assessment purposes. The Center is working with scientists at the Complex Systems Research Center at the University of New Hampshire in the development of Forest-DNDC, a robust forest soil carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical model.
Specific applications to:
Selected publications:
- Cui, J., C. Li, C. Trettin. 2005. Analyzing the Ecosystem Carbon and Hydrologic Characteristics of Forested Wetlands using a Biogeochemical Model.
- Amatya, Devendra; Trettin, Carl. 2008. An Eco-Hydrological Project on Turkey Creek Watershed, South Carolina, U.S.A.
- Amatya, Devendra M.; Trettin, Carl C.; Skaggs, R. Wayne; Burke, Marianne K.; Callahan, T.J.; Sun, Ge; Nettles, J.E.; Parsons, J.E.; Miwa, M. 2005. Five Hydrologic Studies Conducted by or in Cooperation with the Center for Forested Wetlands Research.
For additional publications go to TreeSearch.