Ag Connection Covers DeForest, Snell Research on Soil Nutrients, Rise in Maples

Dr. Jared DeForest

The Minnesota Ag Connection, the New York Ag Connection, and the Michigan Ag Connection all printed an Ohio University news release about Dr. Jared DeForest, Associate Professor of Environmental & Plant Biology, who co-authored the study, Tree growth response to shifting soil nutrient economy depends on mycorrhizal associations, published Feb. 17 in the journal New Phytologist.

A recent Ohio University study offers new information about how changes in the nutrient composition of the soil in forests could be leading to a rise in the maple tree population while suppressing the growth of oaks.

The research has implications for forest management practices, as oak is a valuable source of timber and supports a diverse ecosystem of plants, insects and animals.

“We know that over the last 30 years, the eastern deciduous forests that were once dominated by oak have been transitioning to maples,” said DeForest. The study was co-authored by Dr. Rebecca Snell, Assistant Professor of Environmental & Plant Biology.

• For more information on the study, see “Scientists Show How Soil Changes May Trigger Rise of Maple Tree Population in Forests.”\

Dr. Rebecca Snell