Date of Graduation

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

Committee Chair

William Peterjohn

Abstract

Regions downwind of industrial and agricultural pollution receive high amounts of nitrogen (N) deposition. Some forested regions now exhibit symptoms on N saturation, which is N availability in excess of biotic demand. This phenomena and the evidence that trees alter soil in ways that may influence N saturation is the basis of my research. My thesis consists of three parts: (1) Testing the association between tree species and soil properties: Can larger-scale patterns be found under individual trees?; (2) Phosphomonesterase activity in violets (Viola rotundifolia) found in watersheds exhibiting varying levels of nitrogen availability: What lies beyond nitrogen saturation?; and (3) Nutrient limitation in soils exhibiting differing nitrogen availabilities: A greenhouse- and field-based assessment.

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