Putting Forest Health Putting Forest Health Monitoring Monitoring

in its Place –in its Place –

The Vermont Long-term Soil The Vermont Long-term Soil Monitoring ProjectMonitoring Project

Vermont Long-Term Soil Vermont Long-Term Soil Monitoring ProjectMonitoring Project

A cooperative long-term soil A cooperative long-term soil monitoring project established with monitoring project established with the goal of detecting changes in soils the goal of detecting changes in soils due to human-caused impacts at two due to human-caused impacts at two forested sites in Vermont. forested sites in Vermont.

Major partners -Major partners - Vermont Monitoring Cooperative Vermont Monitoring Cooperative (VMC)(VMC)

•Vermont Agency of Natural Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Resources •University of Vermont University of Vermont •USDA Forest Service Green USDA Forest Service Green Mountain Mountain National ForestNational Forest

Natural Resources Conservation Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Service (NRCS)

Vermont Long-Term Soil Vermont Long-Term Soil Monitoring ProjectMonitoring Project

Monitoring strategy - measure changes in soil Monitoring strategy - measure changes in soil properties in forest locations where ecological properties in forest locations where ecological processes are in a “steady state” by sampling processes are in a “steady state” by sampling at various time intervals over project life. at various time intervals over project life.

Planned lifespan of project - Planned lifespan of project - 200 years200 years (2002- (2002-2202). Sampling years: 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 2202). Sampling years: 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 – 8 times (2 more times in reserve).150, 200 – 8 times (2 more times in reserve).

Five long-term 50x50 meter soil monitoring Five long-term 50x50 meter soil monitoring plots were established in 2000. Initial plots were established in 2000. Initial background soil characterization was done background soil characterization was done through the NRCS National Soil Survey Lab in through the NRCS National Soil Survey Lab in “Year Zero minus 2” (2000). Each plot has “Year Zero minus 2” (2000). Each plot has 100 5x5 m. subplots for sampling.100 5x5 m. subplots for sampling.

Soil climate analysis (SCAN) equipment was Soil climate analysis (SCAN) equipment was also installed at the two major locations in also installed at the two major locations in September 2000September 2000..

Vermont Long-Term Soil Vermont Long-Term Soil Monitoring ProjectMonitoring Project

Current Long-term Soil Monitoring Team Current Long-term Soil Monitoring Team members:members:

Scott Bailey, USDA Forest Service, Northern Scott Bailey, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station Nancy Burt, USDA Forest Research Station Nancy Burt, USDA Forest Service, GMNFService, GMNFSean Lawson, State of Vermont, VMCSean Lawson, State of Vermont, VMCEric Miller, Ecosystems Research Group Eric Miller, Ecosystems Research Group Don Ross, University of VermontDon Ross, University of VermontJamie Shanley, US Geological SurveyJamie Shanley, US Geological SurveyThom Villars, USDA-NRCS (chair)Thom Villars, USDA-NRCS (chair)Sandy Wilmot (Honorary advisory member)Sandy Wilmot (Honorary advisory member)

Vermont Long Term Soil Monitoring Plots - 2002 Sampling - Soil Profile ChartsLye Brook - Road site

Depth in Centimeters

Cm. Plot 12 Plot 14 Plot 21 Plot 43 Plot 44 Plot 60 Plot 78 Plot 80 Plot 85 Plot 99123456789

101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475

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Vermont Long Term Soil Monitoring Plots - 2002 Sampling - Soil Profile ChartsMount Mansfield - Forehead site

Depth in Centimeters

Cm. Plot 5 Plot 20 Plot 26 Plot 33 Plot 40 Plot 45 Plot 48 Plot 62 Plot 77 Plot 841 Oi Oi2 Oe3456789

10111213 R141516171819202122 R232425 R R26 R2728 R29 R3031 R3233343536373839404142434445464748 R4950515253545556575859606162636465666768697071 R72737475

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Vermont Long Term Soil Monitoring Plots - 2002 Sampling - Soil Profile ChartsMount Mansfield - Polka Dot site

Depth in Centimeters

Cm. Plot 9 Plot 21 Plot 31 Plot 39 Plot 57 Plot 62 Plot 69 Plot 82 Plot 90 Plot 941 Oi Oi Oi Oi23456789

1011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041 Cd42434445 Cd464748495051 BC >50525354555657 Cd Cd58 Cd5960 Bw2 >5961 Cd626364656667 Cd6869707172737475

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Vermont Long Term Soil Monitoring Plots - 2002 Sampling - Soil Profile ChartsMount Mansfield - Ranch Brook site

Depth in Centimeters

Cm. Plot 4 Plot 13 Plot 20 Plot 31 Plot 33 Plot 35 Plot 65 Plot 66 Plot 75 Plot 1001 Oi Oi2 Oe3456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475

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Vermont Long Term Soil Monitoring Plots - 2002 Sampling - Soil Profile ChartsLye Brook - Trail site

Depth in Centimeters

Cm. Plot 4 Plot 12 Plot 21 Plot 26 Plot 27 Plot 32 Plot 56 Plot 84 Plot 93 Plot 98123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475

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Organic and mineral Organic and mineral horizons from 10 randomly horizons from 10 randomly selected soil pits were selected soil pits were sampled within each sampled within each 50x50m plot.50x50m plot.206 soil horizons 206 soil horizons sampled from 50 soil sampled from 50 soil pits.pits.

3600 feet

1800 feet

2300 – 2400 feet

2002 Sampling (Year Zero)2002 Sampling (Year Zero)

Where did the 206 Where did the 206 samples go?samples go?

Subsamples of each horizon were sent to 3 labs:Subsamples of each horizon were sent to 3 labs: NRCS National Soil Survey Lab - completedNRCS National Soil Survey Lab - completed University of Vermont Soil Lab - in progressUniversity of Vermont Soil Lab - in progress Forest Service Research Lab - in progressForest Service Research Lab - in progress

Plus another subsample of each horizon was:Plus another subsample of each horizon was: Archived at Hubbard Brook (for now)Archived at Hubbard Brook (for now)

Also, separate samples were collected for Also, separate samples were collected for mercury analysis that was performed free of mercury analysis that was performed free of charge by State of VT, courtesy of N. charge by State of VT, courtesy of N. Kamman.Kamman.

2002 Sampling2002 Sampling: : Mt. Mansfield – Forehead Mt. Mansfield – Forehead SiteSite

3600 feet elevation 3600 feet elevation Montane Spruce – Fir Forest natural Montane Spruce – Fir Forest natural

communitycommunity

Vermont Long Term Soil Monitoring Plots - 2002 Sampling - Soil Profile ChartsMount Mansfield - Forehead site

Depth in Centimeters

Cm. Plot 5 Plot 20 Plot 26 Plot 33 Plot 40 Plot 45 Plot 48 Plot 62 Plot 77 Plot 841 Oi Oi2 Oe3456789

10111213 R141516171819202122 R232425 R R26 R2728 R29 R3031 R3233343536373839404142434445464748 R4950515253545556575859606162636465666768697071 R72737475

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2002 Sampling2002 Sampling: : Mt. Mansfield – Forehead Mt. Mansfield – Forehead SiteSite

Soils underlain by bedrock. There are 4 Soils underlain by bedrock. There are 4 soil Orders here!soil Orders here!

2002 Sampling: Lye Brook – Road site2002 Sampling: Lye Brook – Road siteApprox 2300 feet elevationApprox 2300 feet elevation

Northern Hardwood Forest natural Northern Hardwood Forest natural communitycommunity

Vermont Long Term Soil Monitoring Plots - 2002 Sampling - Soil Profile ChartsLye Brook - Road site

Depth in Centimeters

Cm. Plot 12 Plot 14 Plot 21 Plot 43 Plot 44 Plot 60 Plot 78 Plot 80 Plot 85 Plot 99123456789

101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475

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2002 Sampling: Lye Brook – Road site2002 Sampling: Lye Brook – Road siteSoils are Spodosols (except one) Soils are Spodosols (except one) underlain by dense till.underlain by dense till.

2002 Sampling: Lye Brook – Trail site2002 Sampling: Lye Brook – Trail site

Approx 2400 feet elevationApprox 2400 feet elevation

Northern Hardwood ForestNorthern Hardwood Forestnatural communitynatural community

Vermont Long Term Soil Monitoring Plots - 2002 Sampling - Soil Profile ChartsLye Brook - Trail site

Depth in Centimeters

Cm. Plot 4 Plot 12 Plot 21 Plot 26 Plot 27 Plot 32 Plot 56 Plot 84 Plot 93 Plot 98123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475

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2002 Sampling: Lye Brook – Trail site2002 Sampling: Lye Brook – Trail siteAll soils are Spodosols underlain by dense All soils are Spodosols underlain by dense

till.till.

2002 Sampling: Mt. Mansfield – Polka Dot site2002 Sampling: Mt. Mansfield – Polka Dot siteApprox. 2400 feet elevationApprox. 2400 feet elevation

Yellow Birch Northern Hardwood Forest Yellow Birch Northern Hardwood Forest natural communitynatural community

All excavated soil material was laid on plastic to avoid

contamination of larger area.

Vermont Long Term Soil Monitoring Plots - 2002 Sampling - Soil Profile ChartsMount Mansfield - Polka Dot site

Depth in Centimeters

Cm. Plot 9 Plot 21 Plot 31 Plot 39 Plot 57 Plot 62 Plot 69 Plot 82 Plot 90 Plot 941 Oi Oi Oi Oi23456789

1011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041 Cd42434445 Cd464748495051 BC >50525354555657 Cd Cd58 Cd5960 Bw2 >5961 Cd626364656667 Cd6869707172737475

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2002 Sampling: Mt. Mansfield – Polka Dot site2002 Sampling: Mt. Mansfield – Polka Dot siteSoils are mix of Spodosols and Inceptisols Soils are mix of Spodosols and Inceptisols

underlain by dense till.underlain by dense till.

2002 Sampling2002 Sampling: : Mt. Mansfield – Ranch Mt. Mansfield – Ranch Brook siteBrook siteApprox 1800 feet elevationApprox 1800 feet elevation

Northern Northern HardwoodHardwoodForestForestnaturalnaturalcommunity,community,with somewith somesigns ofsigns ofenrichmentenrichment

Vermont Long Term Soil Monitoring Plots - 2002 Sampling - Soil Profile ChartsMount Mansfield - Ranch Brook site

Depth in Centimeters

Cm. Plot 4 Plot 13 Plot 20 Plot 31 Plot 33 Plot 35 Plot 65 Plot 66 Plot 75 Plot 1001 Oi Oi2 Oe3456789

101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475

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2002 Sampling2002 Sampling: : Mt. Mansfield – Ranch Mt. Mansfield – Ranch Brook siteBrook site

Soils are primarily Inceptisols, with two Soils are primarily Inceptisols, with two Spodosols.Spodosols.

Cation Exchange Capacity (by sum of Cation Exchange Capacity (by sum of cations) for cations) for

All Horizons, NSSLAll Horizons, NSSLCation Exchange Capacity (sum of base cations) for All Horizons

Oa-RanchBrook

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E BhsBs Bw BC

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Mean Total % Carbon by Horizon

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based on elevationbased on elevation

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MansfieldPolka

Lye Road

Mercury concentration in surficial soils shows a strong positive relation with elevation.

This elevational dependence may be related to increased deposition of Hg at higher elevations. Error bars show +/- 1 standard deviation, based on 10 samples at each site (except 20 at Lye Road). At Mansfield Polka, A horizon values are plotted as there was little O horizon present (-?).

(J. Shanley)

Mercury concentration in soil Mercury concentration in soil horizonshorizons

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Mercury retention is greatest in the soil O horizon.

Based on samples from 4 sites, Hg concentration in the O horizon was more than 3 times greater than in the B horizon. (Lye Trail was not sampled.) (J. Shanley)

Vermont Soil Climate Analysis Vermont Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) Sites – supporting Network (SCAN) Sites – supporting

the long-term studythe long-term study

Mount Mansfield State Forest, near Polka Dot site

Edge of Lye Brook Wilderness,GMNF, near Lye – Road site

Location of Soil Climate Analysis Network sites in the US

The VT SCAN sites were installed in 2000 The VT SCAN sites were installed in 2000 nearby 2 long-term soil monitoring plotsnearby 2 long-term soil monitoring plots

Lye Brook site under construction, Green Mountain National Forest, September, 2000

What is measured at a What is measured at a SCAN site?SCAN site?

Hourly readings of:Hourly readings of: Air temperature (max, min, average)Air temperature (max, min, average) PrecipitationPrecipitation Wind speed and direction (average and Wind speed and direction (average and

maximum)maximum) Solar radiationSolar radiation Relative humidityRelative humidity Barometric pressureBarometric pressure Snow depth and weight (used for calculating Snow depth and weight (used for calculating

water content)water content) Soil temperature and moisture (and other data) Soil temperature and moisture (and other data)

at 5 depths: 2, 4, 8, 20 and 40 inchesat 5 depths: 2, 4, 8, 20 and 40 inches Updated hourly on the Web at: Updated hourly on the Web at:

http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/scanhttp://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/scan

Vermont Soil Climate Analysis Network Vermont Soil Climate Analysis Network 2001-20052001-2005

5 yr.5 yr. Average Monthly Precipitation and Soil Average Monthly Precipitation and Soil Moisture, MMMoisture, MMMount Mansfield, VT

Average Monthly Precipitation and Soil Moisture - 2001-2005 Preliminary Data - Subject to Change

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SpringMoisture

Peak

Summer Drawdownof soil moisture –

even with high rainfall (pink line)

Vermont Soil Climate Analysis Network Vermont Soil Climate Analysis Network 2001-20052001-2005

5 yr. Average Monthly Air and Soil 5 yr. Average Monthly Air and Soil Temperature, MMTemperature, MM

SpringMoisturePeak

Summer Drawdown – even with high rainfall

Mount Mansfield, VT Average Monthly Air and Soil Temperature - 2001 - 2005

Preliminary Data - Subject to Change

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SpringTurnover

Fall Turnover

Vermont Soil Climate Analysis NetworkVermont Soil Climate Analysis Network Hurricane Katrina –Hurricane Katrina –

Its effect on hourly precipitation and soil moisture at Its effect on hourly precipitation and soil moisture at Mt. MansfieldMt. Mansfield

The Effect of Hurricane Katrina on Hourly Precipitation and Soil Moisture Mt Mansfield, Vermont SCAN station

August 30 - September 1, 2005

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Time in hours: Aug 30, noon-midnight = 1-12; Aug 31 = 13-32 (4 hrs no record); Sept 1, 12am-noon = 33-44

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40 inch depth – storm, what storm?

What’s next for the Long-term Soil What’s next for the Long-term Soil Monitoring Project??Monitoring Project??

•Complete 2002 Year Zero lab Complete 2002 Year Zero lab characterizationcharacterization

•Plan, fund, and carry out Year 5 Plan, fund, and carry out Year 5 sampling in summer 2007 sampling in summer 2007

•Begin Year 5 sample processing, Begin Year 5 sample processing, archiving and characterizationarchiving and characterization

•Develop and publish initial reportDevelop and publish initial report

Finally, what are some of the Finally, what are some of the challenges facing the project:challenges facing the project:

•Separating natural soil variation from Separating natural soil variation from actual long-term changesactual long-term changes•Standardizing soil description protocols Standardizing soil description protocols •Developing a permanent Archive PlanDeveloping a permanent Archive Plan•Funding for lab work and unsupported Funding for lab work and unsupported personnel costspersonnel costs•Completing data analysis and publicationCompleting data analysis and publication•Time demands of project outside scope of Time demands of project outside scope of “normal job” for some committee members“normal job” for some committee members•200 years??? - Institutionalizing the 200 years??? - Institutionalizing the program into agencies and passing on the program into agencies and passing on the project to a new generation of scientistsproject to a new generation of scientists