Links between carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in forest soils: An innovative approach with both NMR and stable isotope techniques. Understanding the critical links between soil carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in forest ecosystems is necessary for developing effective site management to enhance forest productivity and environmental benefits. In the first application of 14N-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to soil humic acid (HA), we have discovered that surprisingly nitrate-N is prese ....Links between carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in forest soils: An innovative approach with both NMR and stable isotope techniques. Understanding the critical links between soil carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in forest ecosystems is necessary for developing effective site management to enhance forest productivity and environmental benefits. In the first application of 14N-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to soil humic acid (HA), we have discovered that surprisingly nitrate-N is present in soil HAs, with the HA-nitrate N extremely sensitive to forest management practices. This project represents the first attempt to integrate the use of advanced NMR and stable isotope techniques to examine both chemical and biological linkages between carbon and nitrogen cycling processes in Australian and US forest ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Environmental fingerprints of biogeochemical cycles embedded in tree rings: Linking global climate change to local long-term forest productivity. Forests cover one-third of the Earth's land surface and account for 80-90% of plant carbon and 30-40% of soil carbon. Forest carbon stocks and dynamics respond to and interact with global climate change (GCC). Recent tree ring research highlights the worsening impact of GCC and acid deposition on long-term forest productivity in central Europe. This pr ....Environmental fingerprints of biogeochemical cycles embedded in tree rings: Linking global climate change to local long-term forest productivity. Forests cover one-third of the Earth's land surface and account for 80-90% of plant carbon and 30-40% of soil carbon. Forest carbon stocks and dynamics respond to and interact with global climate change (GCC). Recent tree ring research highlights the worsening impact of GCC and acid deposition on long-term forest productivity in central Europe. This project seeks to develop and apply novel tree ring technologies for linking biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nutrients to long-term forest productivity in different regions, and to provide a scientific basis for accounting for long-term forest productivity and carbon stocks in response to future GCC.Read moreRead less
The nature and ecological functions of soil soluble organic nitrogen in contrasting forest ecosystems. This project employs a series of innovative techniques to investigate the dynamic nature and ecological significance of soil soluble organic nitrogen - one of the important nutrient pools, in contrasting tropical, subtropical and temperate forest ecosystems. The successful conduct of this project will lead to: a) better fertilization recommendation schemes, reduced ecosystem N losses, improved ....The nature and ecological functions of soil soluble organic nitrogen in contrasting forest ecosystems. This project employs a series of innovative techniques to investigate the dynamic nature and ecological significance of soil soluble organic nitrogen - one of the important nutrient pools, in contrasting tropical, subtropical and temperate forest ecosystems. The successful conduct of this project will lead to: a) better fertilization recommendation schemes, reduced ecosystem N losses, improved forest productivity and sustainability, minimised environmental pollution and improved water quality in forested watersheds; b) effective conservation of biodiversity in both managed and natural forests; and c) enhanced international cooperation and reputation of the Australian scientists in the relevant research fields.Read moreRead less
Soil microbial ecology and function in forest nutrient cycling: Improving the understanding and management with bio-molecular and stable isotope techniques. An improved understanding of soil microbial ecology and function is required to advance our knowledge and management of important carbon and nutrient cycling processes underpinning forest productivity and sustainability. Recent advances in bio-molecular techniques and application of stable isotope 13C and 15N methodologies have highlighted t ....Soil microbial ecology and function in forest nutrient cycling: Improving the understanding and management with bio-molecular and stable isotope techniques. An improved understanding of soil microbial ecology and function is required to advance our knowledge and management of important carbon and nutrient cycling processes underpinning forest productivity and sustainability. Recent advances in bio-molecular techniques and application of stable isotope 13C and 15N methodologies have highlighted the exciting opportunities and potential for studying soil microbial ecology and function in forest nutrient cycling. These innovative bio-molecular and stable isotope techniques will be effectively used to examine the impacts of management practices and global change on the soil carbon and nutrient cycling processes for enhancing both productivity and environmental benefits of forest ecosystems.Read moreRead less