We are measuring the capacity of soils to retain nitrogen and developing a theoretical basis to understand how nitrogen cycling varies across gradients in land use, topography, climate, and tree species composition.
Forest soils are usually sponges for inorganic nitrogen, absorbing most nitrogen that enters forests from the atmosphere. In contrast agricultural soils are often leaky, releasing nitrogen that pollutes waters and the atmosphere. Understanding the processes that control this great variation in soil nitrogen retention across landscapes has always been a key theme in the lab. This research often uses stable isotopic tracers to follow nitrogen through plants and soils.
Some of the processes we are studying include:
- Abiotic reactions between inorganic nitrogen and soil organic matter (Kizewski et al. 2019; Lewis et al. 2014)
- Root and microbial assimilation of inorganic nitrogen (Weitzman and Kaye 2016)
- The role of topography and hydrologic transport (Weitzman and Kaye 2016; Castellano et al. 2013)
- Soil N2O production (Weitzman et al. 2018; Hoagland et al. 2019)
- Climate change effects on the nitrogen cycle (McDaniel et al. 2014)
- Linking soil carbon saturation concepts with nitrogen cycling theory (Castellano et al. 2012; White et al. 2014).
Forthcoming research measures how different forest tree species, and their associated mycorrhizae, affect soil nitrogen cycling rates and N2O emissions. And, at the Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory, forthcoming research will test how topography enables some upland soils to have periodic anaerobic nitrogen cycles, with implications for transport to streams.
The Kaye Biogeochemistry Lab believes that everyone should have equal access to science, and we strive to create an environment that welcomes and respects diversity in all its forms—including cultural, racial, religious, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, and mental wellbeing. Read more here.
The Kaye Biogeochemistry Lab believes that everyone should have equal access to science, and we strive to create an environment that welcomes and respects diversity in all its forms—including cultural, racial, religious, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, and mental wellbeing. Read more here.
