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Full-Text Articles in Forest Sciences
Quantifying The Ecological Effects Of Salix Fragilis On Riparian Habitat In Kittitas County, Washington, Landon Shaffer
Quantifying The Ecological Effects Of Salix Fragilis On Riparian Habitat In Kittitas County, Washington, Landon Shaffer
All Master's Theses
Invasive species threaten plant community structure and function globally. Riparian areas, the zone near streams where water influences vegetation, are especially sensitive to invasive species colonization, suffering large-scale shifts in community composition. Salix fragilis (crack willow) is a nonnative riparian species abundant in the lower elevation tributaries of central Washington. Some speculate whether this willow should be listed as invasive in Washington, despite a lack of regional supporting evidence. I studied riparian communities dominated by either S. fragilis or native species in the Kittitas Valley and measured biodiversity, quantified differences in solar attenuation, and compared leaf decomposition rates to learn …
Effects Of Western Spruce Budworm Herbivory On Forest Soils And Litter Decomposition In Central Washington, Izak R. Neziri
Effects Of Western Spruce Budworm Herbivory On Forest Soils And Litter Decomposition In Central Washington, Izak R. Neziri
All Master's Theses
Disturbances by herbivores can drive nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems by adding frass, carcasses, and molts to the forest floor which are broken down into nitrogen, phosphorous, and other elements to be recycled into biomass. Western spruce budworms are defoliators native to the central Cascades and their herbivory could increase the decomposition rate of forest materials by adding essential nutrients and/or by increasing light and rainfall penetration to the forest floor by thinning the forest canopy during outbreaks. Budworm defoliation events are expected to increase in severity as the climate warms, potentially altering forest ecosystem function. The purpose of this …
Occurrence And Characteristics Of Nonfruiting Myxobacteria Isolated From Pine Forest Soils, Paul M. Kulvi
Occurrence And Characteristics Of Nonfruiting Myxobacteria Isolated From Pine Forest Soils, Paul M. Kulvi
All Master's Theses
A study was conducted to contribute to the taxonomy of the nonfruiting myxobacteria and to determine the effects of fire on the occurrence and characteristics of nonfruiting myxobacteria isolated from pine forest soil Three years after a prescribed burn, the population of nonfruiting myxobacteria was decreased in the burn site. The organisms isolated were distinct from any of the known species of nonfruiting myxobacteria, and apparently are new species.