Abstract
Trembling aspen covers a large geographic range in North America, and previous studies reported that a better understanding of its singular influence on soil properties and processes is of high relevance for global change questions. Here we investigate the potential impact of a shift in aspen abundance on soil carbon sequestration and soil carbon stability at the continental scale by conducting a systematic literature review using 23 published studies. Our review shows that aspen’s effect on soil carbon is relatively consistent throughout the species range. Aspen stores less C in the forest floor but similar amounts in the mineral soil relative to conifers. However, a robust set of indicators of soil C stability, for example, degree of organo-mineral associations, proportion of readily-available or labile C estimated during long-term soil incubations or using hot-water extraction, pattern of soil C distribution, and temperature sensitivity of soil heterotrophic respiration, reveals that the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock under aspen is more stable, rendering it more protected against environmental changes and soil disturbances. Therefore, our continental-scale analysis highlights that an increase in the abundance of trembling aspen in North American forests may increase the resistance and resilience of soil C stocks against global changes.
Highlights
Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) covers a large geographic range in North America (Figure 1), and is found on a great variety of soils, mainly Alfisols, Spodosols, Inceptisols [1], and Mollisols [2,3]
All cases reporting C concentrations in forest floor and mineral soil show no singular effect of aspen, except in one study where forest floor C concentration is lower under aspen than under conifer (Table 1)
It shows that aspen stores less C in the forest floor but similar amounts in the mineral soil relative to conifers
Summary
Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) covers a large geographic range in North America (Figure 1), and is found on a great variety of soils, mainly Alfisols, Spodosols, Inceptisols [1], and Mollisols [2,3]. In western and midwestern USA, aspen has been associated with increased levels of understory plant species diversity [5,7]. Mammal, and macroinvertebrate biodiversity have been reported in aspen stands compared to adjacent conifer stands [8,9]. In the semi-arid western USA, aspen has a positive effect on snow accumulation and water retention [10], an issue of major importance in regions that depend on snow as a water source. Aspen has developed mechanisms for quickly occupying suitable areas through fast seed dispersal and vegetative suckering, which are often enhanced by disturbances like fire [11]. While a drier climate will limit the survival of aspen in many areas (especially in the southwest), in areas with more suitable edaphic conditions (mostly in the north), a drier climate will most likely promote more fires [19], thereby, creating more favourable conditions for aspen stand establishment [20,21,22,23]
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