Physical and chemical properties of forest soils in the National Capital Region Network
Bright MB, Weil RR, Colopietro D, Campbell B. 2020. Physical and chemical properties of forest soils in the National Capital Region Network. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NCRN/NRR—2020/2151. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Soils are the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems and affect all parts of the environment: water, atmosphere, animals, vegetation, and climate. To better understand soil function and the influence of soil morphology and nutrients on vegetation in urban and semi-urban forested ecosystems of the Mid-Atlantic, the National Capital Region Network (NCRN) collected a suite of soil physical and chemical data in the 426 permanent vegetation monitoring plots in 11 park units between 2007 and 2017. This report details the data collection methods and summarizes the soil physical and chemical data. The objectives of the report are to: 1. Describe the physical and chemical characteristics of soils in the NCRN. 2. Provide baseline soils data to aid park managers and future long-term soil monitoring in the NCRN. 3. Identify statistically significant differences among soil variables found at NCRN parks and discuss the probable causes of these differences. 4. Highlight individual plots with outlier characteristics that might negatively affect ecosystem function or require further investigation. 5. Discuss future opportunities for soil monitoring and scientific studies in the NCRN.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Bright, Matthew; Weil, Ray; Colopietro, Daniel; Campbell, Bonnie
- Date of Issue
- 2020-06
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- ANTI , BAWA , CATO , CHOH , FODU , FOWA , GREE , GWMP , HAFE , KEAQ , MANA , MONO , NACE , NCRN , NRSS , OXHI , PISC , PRWI , ROCR , WOTR
- Keywords
- Forest Monitor, Landscape Monitor, NCRN, Soil Monitor