Nitrogen (N) availability in soils plays a critical role in forest dynamics and development. Variations in N availability have been shown to affect tree growth and structural development, decay and turnover of leaves and woody detritus, diversity of understory and soil microbial communities, and many other factors. Consequently, understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of N in forest soils can be crucial to understanding forest ecosystems as a whole.
The impacts of traditional silvicultural practices on N dynamics have historically been the subject of intense study. 
Clearcut forest harvest, for instance, has been shown to increase the production of nitrate (NO3-), a highly soluble ion, in forest soils. Subsequent N loss through NO3- leaching may lead to decreased site productivity and water quality levels. The potential impacts of modern silvicultural practices on soil N dynamics, as might result during gap creation to restore complex forest structure, remain less well understood.
The following study will investigate the effects of gap creation on N dynamics in young, thinned Douglas-fir forests. It will focus on three main questions::
The study will include three initial thinning sites from the BLM Density Management Study. At each site, three large (0.4-ha) gaps and three small (0.1-ha) gaps will be chosen for study. A series of field- and laboratory-based measures will be used to measure N dynamics across gaps.
For additional information about this research study, see the 2005 CFER
Annual Report.
