Soil Nitrogen Mineralization in Forested Headwater Stream Watersheds in Relation to Riparian Buffers
Jessica
Taylor
Forest Resources
Understanding the connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic systems is important when attempting to address current and future forest management issues. Little is known about the effects of forest harvesting on the chemistry of non-fishbearing headwater streams in lowland Western Washington and how this harvesting affects downstream salmonids.
The near-stream/saturated zone, where hillslope hydrologic flow paths and saturated soil meet, has vital biogeochemical nitrogen cycles. This study will address this biogeochemical cycle, specifically the rate of nitrogen mineralization in the headwater stream riparian zones.