1. Detecting change over time
in tree tissue chemistry
Yang Yang
SUNY-ESF
07/10/13

2. Context
Important for…
Changed by…
Forest productivity
Forest sustainability
Nitrogen deposition
Acidification

3. HBEF-watershed 6
Tree tissue chemistry (Likens and Bormann, 1970)
1960s ?

4. A Case Study -- Huntington Project
Fig 1: Field notes of surveying line in Huntington Forest, 1985
(From Dr. Russell D. Briggs)
Huntington Wildlife Forest
Arbutus
Pond
Tree tissue chemistry
(Russell R. Briggs)
1985 1986 1987
American beech
Yellow birch
Sugar maple
Red maple
Bark; Branch; Foliage; Wood
N P K Ca Mg S

5. American beech
Red maple
Sugar maple
Yellow birch
1985 1986 1987 2012
Year
Nitrogenconcentrationg/kg
Nitrogen concentration in branch of four species over time
a b b c
a a b bc
a a a b
a a a b

6. Branch nutrients vary by branch diameter
Fig 2: Concentrations of N and K (times 2) in branches by diameter
(data average three species SM, YB, AB) Whittaker et al 1979
Dead
Living
Dead
Living
Fig 2: Concentrations of N and K (times 2) in branches by diameter
(data average three species SM, YB, AB) Whittaker et al 1979
Dead
Living
Dead
Living

7. Length of live crown
Upper crown Middle crown Lower crown
1/2 1/2
Nutrient variation due to tissue position
9 cm
1/3 1/3 1/3
0.5 cm
1.0 cm
2.0 cm
3.0 cm

8. Thank you!This project is funded by the Edna Bailey Sussman Foundation.
Field assistance was provided by Dr. Russell Briggs, Dr. Myron Mitchell. Dr. Tim
Fahey, Dr John Battles, Ian Hamlets and my shoestring crew. Laboratory assistance
was provided by Debra Driscoll and Chuck Schirmer.
Thanks to my advisor Dr. Ruth Yanai.