Masters Theses

Mark H. Wolfe

Date of Award

3-1984

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences

Major Professor

J.D. Holt

Abstract

Stemflow Influence on the distribution of soil (NaH2PO4- extractable) sulfate and pH was evaluated over three size classes of red maple (Acer rubrum) and scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) at two experimental watersheds In Tennessee which receive different yearly Inputs of sulfur from atmospheric sources. The soil profile around the base of red maple and scarlet oak was sampled by horizon at 25, 50, 100 and 200 cm from the stem along four transects originating at the stem base which were spaced 90° apart.

Soil extractable SO4-S and pH were analyzed by horizon to determine the effect of site, tree species, tree size class within species, site by species Interaction, sampling transects and distance sampled within transects, on these parameters. Statistical analysis Indicated that stemflow was not a factor Influencing SO4-S distribution around the base of red maple and scarlet oak. Species, however, had a strong effect on A1, B22 and B22 soil SO4-S con centrations than A1 horizons beneath scarlet oak (24*0 μg*g-1 vs 19.5 μg-1, respectively). The B22 and B23 horizons beneath scarlet oaks had greater SO4-S concentrations than corresponding horizons beneath red maple (79.0 μg*g-1 vs. 46.0 μg*g-1 and 107 μg*g-1 vs 68.0 μg*g-1 for scarlet oak and red maple In B22 and B23 horizons, respectively). Reasons for the greater SO4-S concentration of B22 and B23 horizons are unclear but may relate to 1) the effect of canopy area on throughfall SO4-S content, 2) differences In aboveground biomass S content of red maple and scarlet oak, 3) the nature and extent of stemflow movement along root surfaces and old root channels or 4) subtle variations in properties of soils beneath red maple vs scarlet oak.

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