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Determining where, when, and how subsurface flow affects soil processes and the resulting arrangement of soil development along flow paths is challenging. While hydrologic regime and soil solution acidity are known to influence weathering rates and soil transformation processes, an integrated understanding of these factors together is still lacking. This dissertation explores the effects of subsurface flow on the mobility and distribution of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and base cations to explain spatial patterns in chemical weathering in a forested headwater catchment. In the first chapter, relationships between hydrologic behavior, fluxes of weathered elements, and the extent of soil elemental loss across landscape positions are established. The second chapter investigates what specific groundwater behavior best explains spatial patterns in solution DOC concentrations during storm events. Lastly, in the third chapter, near surface saturation dynamics are examined to determine when and where DOC mobilization might be enhanced by subsurface flow. Results show that weathering extent was greatest in the upper reaches of the catchment, where O horizon saturation frequency and DOC concentrations are highest. Annual base cation fluxes, which were also greatest in these positions, could indicate where weathering is likely still enhanced. Additionally, while O horizon saturation occurred across the catchment, spatial differences in DOC concentrations suggest there are other sources of acidity to groundwater solutions other than just leaching from O horizons. Shallow organic soils, near bedrock outcrops at the top of the catchment is likely this additional C source, in which drainage water is transported downslope to nearby mineral soils when water tables are high and hydrologic connectivity between soils is increased. Spring and fall storm events were identified as times when groundwater most frequently reached O horizons during the snow-free year, providing insight into the timing of these processes throughout the year. This dissertation highlights how catchment structure mediates DOC flushing events, which in turn, influences the spatial architecture of soil development and chemical weathering processes across the landscape. / Doctor of Philosophy / This dissertation explores how the movement and chemistry of groundwater influences chemical weathering in forest soils. Chemical weathering is an important process in which rocks and soils are broken down into soil nutrients and water-soluble elements. The control of weathering processes by spatial and temporal differences in water behavior across landscapes is not well understood. To address these knowledge gaps, this dissertation measured groundwater fluctuations, solution chemistry, and nutrient fluxes across a mountainous forested landscape. Results from this work found that areas with more frequent flushing of organic matter-rich soil horizons increases groundwater acidity, which can enhance weathering processes. Flushing frequency of organic horizons and soil nutrient fluxes were greatest in the highest elevation portions of the landscape, where soils were most weathered (greatest loss of soil nutrients). This study revealed that flushing events occurred most frequently in spring and fall storm events during the snow-free year, shedding light on the when weathering might be most enhanced. Overall, this research demonstrates that topographic graphic position described differences in catchment groundwater behavior and solution acidity, which contributes to predictable patterns of weathering and soil development across the landscape.

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Increased anthropogenic deposition of nitrogen (N) and land-use changes associated with planted forests have important implications for sustainable forest management and associated water quality. The purpose of the research for this dissertation was to explore how N deposition will affect the long-term health, productivity, and carbon (C) and N sequestration of conifer and hardwood forest types by examining the mechanisms controlling N cycling and NO3-N production in two watersheds with contrasting vegetation at the Fernow Experimental Forest (FEF), West Virginia. I utilized watershed C and N budgets to account for differences in stream export of NO3-N from streams draining adjacent watersheds containing (i) planted Norway spruce (Picea abies) and (ii) native Appalachian hardwoods. I also investigated spatial and temporal patterns of dissolved C and N across both watersheds and identified key soil properties associated with NO3-N in soil solution and streamwater. In a third study, I performed a soil inoculation and incubation experiment, which utilized soil from both watersheds, mixed in ratios in order to create a gradient of soil chemical and biotic characteristics. Important differences in biogeochemical cycling of C and N were documented in the watersheds after nearly 40 years of influence by contrasting vegetation. Total C and N pools were 28% and 35% lower in the spruce watershed than the hardwood watershed, respectively. Results also identify vegetation-mediated differences in soil characteristics, with lower soil pH and base cations, and higher extractable aluminum and C:N ratios measured in the spruce soil as compared to the native hardwood soil. Establishment of a spruce monoculture at the FEF significantly altered N cycling, depleted N stores, increased soil acidity, and altered organic matter dynamics, thus leading to low net nitrification rates. Carbon and N properties and processes in the soil profile should be taken into consideration in forests managed for ecosystem services including C sequestration and improvement or maintenance of water quality through alleviation of N inputs into aquatic ecosystems. / Ph. D.

Climate change resulting from emissions of fossil fuel combustion has sparked considerable interest in renewable energy and fuel production research, particularly energy derived from cellulosic ethanol, which is derived from biomass such as wood and grass. Cellulosic ethanol demonstrates a more promising future as a global energy source than corn-derived ethanol because it does not displace food crops, irrigation is not required, and chemical application rates are much lower than for annual crops, such as corn. Growing cellulosic biomass for energy can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions via carbon (C) sequestration and by reducing demand for fossil fuel production. The objective of this study was to investigate how land use change affects soil properties and selected soil C and nitrogen (N) dynamics among alternative cellulosic biofuel treatments at the Weyerhaeuser Alabama Cellulosic Biofuel Research site in west-central Alabama. Composite soils for characterization, along with forest floor, were collected at year 1 and year 2 after treatment establishment at 0-15cm and 15-30cm depths at six locations along three hillslope-riparian transects in five experimental watershed treatments. Decomposition of loblolly pine needles was assessed in each watershed using an in situ litter bag method. Seasonal in situ net nitrogen mineralization was measured using a sequential core method, and an anaerobic incubation for N mineralization potential of composite soils was performed in the laboratory. Results revealed high variability of soil properties and processes within these watersheds, along with no consistent treatment effects. This study provides baseline data for these watershed treatments for future studies. / Master of Science

Surface mining in the central Appalachian coalfield disturbs landscapes. Post-mining reforestation efforts now achieve successful reestablishment and growth; however, it is unclear whether reforestation efforts also restore the native forest ecosystem functions. We quantified rates of return of key ecosystem functions and structural attributes of the post-mining forested ecosystem. A chronosequence of four reforested mine sites and an unmined reference stand were studied in southwestern Virginia. Total soil nitrogen (N) and component (mineral soil, forest floor, root, and aboveground biomass) ecosystem carbon (C) pools were quantified. Throughout the growing season, soil gas fluxes [i.e., carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4)], soil inorganic-N [nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+)], and total and active microbial biomass were measured. Soil organic C (SOC) and total ecosystem C are returning to the mined landscape. Ecosystem C was correlated with N (r= 0.80; p= 0.0003) and with total and active microbial biomass (r= 0.92; p=<.0001 and r= 0.86; p=<.0001). Available soil inorganic-N and CO2 and N2O fluxes showed no significant differences among study sites; however, the reforested mine soils showed a diminished capacity for CH4 uptake. Although some ecosystem components and functions rapidly returned to the mined landscape, others did not. Our results indicate that reforestation on surface mined lands is largely successful at restoring many ecosystem functions, yet certain functions are decoupled from the redeveloping ecosystem structure. Improved understanding of relationships between ecosystem functions and structural measures in this context can aid development of ecosystem restoration science and mine reclamation practice. / Master of Science

Compaction caused by certain intensive forest management practices can reduce tree growth, but the causes of growth reduction are usually complex interactions between soil properties and tree species. We used a 7 by 7 factorial greenhouse experiment to create a matrix of bulk density ((Ï b)) and volumetric water content (θv) to determine soil compaction effects on seedling growth of: (i) ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws) grown on Dome and Cohasset soils from California; (ii) shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) on a Clarksville soil from Missouri; and (iii) loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) on an Argent soil from South Carolina. We also characterized soil physical properties and determined compaction effects on soil strength, air/water balance and least limiting water range (LLWR) for each of the soils. Optimum water content for compaction varied from 19%(Argent) to 34%(Cohasset). Compactive effort curves varied for the four soils;maximum Ï b were 1.33, 1.52, 1.58 and 1.65 Mg m-3 for the Cohasset, Dome, Clarksville, and Argent soils, respectively. Compression indices ranged from 0.33 to 0.38. In general, soil strength increased linearly with a θv decrease at the higher Ï b levels, but the effect varied with each soil type. Cohasset, with the lowest BD, had the highest soil strength (3.5 MPa), while strengths exceeding 2.0 MPa were not found for the Argent soil. Compaction affected the soil water retention curves and associated air/water balance parameters for all soils, particularly the Cohasset and Dome soils. Aeration porosity became limiting at Ï b of 1.3, 1.42, 1.44 and 1.55 Mg m-3 for the Cohasset, Dome, Clarksville and Argent soils respectively. The LLWR was lowest for the Dome and Argent soils (0.3 cm 3 cm-3 ) and in some cases increased with compaction. Models of root growth opportunity were developed using multiple regression. The general model of root length density (RLD) = b0 + b1 θv + b2 Ï b + b3 θv2 described rooting response for the Clarksville-shortleaf and Argent-loblolly soil-species combinations (p = 0.005). However, the root response of ponderosa pine on Cohasset was linear and pine roots in the Dome soil responded to an interaction between θv and Ï b. No model adequately described oak seedling growth as a function of BD and VW. High soil strength at low water contents and low aeration porosity at high water contents limited root growth. Shoot mass of seedlings growing within the least limiting water range (LLWR) was greater than those growing outside the range for all soil-species combinations except the Argent-loblolly pine (p = 0.05). The loblolly pines had greater shoot mass at volumetric water contents above the upper LLWR limits (aeration limiting). The LLWR is a promising method for integrating compaction's influence on soil properties and thus root growth potential since single factors did not appear to adequately explain each soil's compressibility. Furthermore, response surface models of RLD as a function of VW and BD in conjunction with the LLWR and seasonal site water data have potential for determining compaction- induced soil limitations for tree growth, but need to be calibrated for both soil and species. / Master of Science