Relationship between microbial biomass, ammonium, and nitrate in a secondary successional forest.

General EcologyMicrobes fill an essential role in forest ecosystem by breaking down detritus into available nutrients for plants. Microbes recycle nitrogen, making it possible for nitrogen limited forests to grow. Our study aimed to identify changes in microbial biomass, ammonium, and nitrate, through the secondary successional forests within the University of Michigan Biological Station burn plots. After sieving soil samples collected from the 1911, 1954, and 1980 burn plots, we performed potassium sulfate extractions on control samples and chloroform fumigated samples . Then we ran a ninhydrin assay test on the extractions. From our data we concluded that forest secondary succession causes changes in the nitrogen cycle over time; forest stand age does not necessarily indicate soil microbial biomass; and forest growth rates explain nitrate and ammonium levels in soil. These conclusions can be used to better characterize the effects of disturbances on forest ecosystems. Disturbances, like logging, can be better managed if there is a greater understanding of how forests interact with microbial communities.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/116796/1/Fromm_Aryn_2015.pd