Harvard Forest Research

Nitrate reductase activity in Harvard Forest hardwood species across a fertility gradient

Principal Investigator: Jerry Melillo
Marine Biological Laboratories: Jul 01 2009 - Aug 15 2009:

Abstract:
This will be a comparative study of the ability to use nitrate in hardwood species at Harvard Forest, as an example of northeastern temperate forests. The project will compare nitrate reductase activity in leaves of both the understory and overstory at sites of varying fertility.

This will be done by selecting three sites of varying soil types in Harvard Forest. Each site's fertility will be characterized by measuring its net nitrogen mineralization, amount of phosphorus, ratio of cations, soil pH and soil temperature. Digging of soil pits will be required as well to study soil profile at each site.: