Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The University of West Florida Campus Ecosystem Study: effects of forest vegetation on light availability and soil processes

  • Research
  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

College and university campuses with a notable arboreal component provide unique opportunities for carrying out ecological research. The University of West Florida Campus Ecosystem Study (UWF CES) was established in 2019 as interconnected research to take advantage of the extensive arborescent nature of the UWF campus, particularly concerning longleaf pine (Pinus palustris). One of these investigations established permanent plots in forested sites of two contrasting types, one dominated by longleaf pine (“pine site”) and the other dominated by hardwoods (‘hardwood site’). This study used these plots to examine the influence of forest vegetation on light availability and soil processes. Light was measured as photosynthetically active radiation (and expressed as photon flux density—PFD) with a handheld meter in each plot. Soil was sampled to 5 cm in each plot; texture was measured with the hydrometer method. Identical sampling methods were carried out in a persistent canopy opening to assess light and soil conditions under maximum solar radiation. Mean PFD was ~4× higher in pine stands than in hardwood stands; PFD was 12.8 and 3.5% of full light in the pine and hardwood stands, respectively. All soils were dominated by coarse-textured sands, but silt was significantly higher in pine stand soil and higher still in the canopy opening. Among forest stand plots, sand was negatively related to PFD, whereas clay was positively related to PFD. Across the three sites, silt was positively related to PFD. These relationships are consistent with the importance of solar radiation as one of many drivers of soil weathering.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Addington, R. N., Knapp, B. O., Sorrell, G. G., Elmore, M. L., Wang, G. G., & Walker, J. L. (2015). Factors affecting broadleaf woody vegetation in upland pine forests managed for longleaf pine restoration. Forest Ecology and Management, 354, 130–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbour, M. G., Burk, J. H., Pitts, W. D., Gilliam, F. S., & Schwartz, M. W. (1999). Terrestrial plant ecology (3rd ed.). The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc..

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaudette, D. E., & O’Green, A. T. (2009). Quantifying the aspect effect: an application of solar radiation modeling for soil survey. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 73, 1345–1352.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bouyoucos, G. J. (1951). A recalibration of the hydrometer method for mechanical analysis of soil. Agronomy Journal, 43, 434–438.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cipollini, M., Felch, P., Dingley, N. R., & Maddox, C. (2019). Changes in tree canopy, understory vegetation, and fuel composition after 10 years of restoration management in an old-growth mountain longleaf pine forest. Natural Areas Journal, 39, 197–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cole, K., & Bennington, C. (2017). From the ground up: Natural history education in an urban campus restoration. Southeastern Naturalist, 16, 132–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Copenheaver, C. A., Seiler, J. R., Peterson, J. A., Evans, A. M., McVay, J. L., & White, J. H. (2014). Stadium Woods: A dendroecological analysis of an old-growth forest fragment on a university campus. Dendrochronologia, 32, 62–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daubenmire, R. (1990). The Magnolia grandiflora-Quercus virginiana forest of Florida. American Midland Naturalist, 123, 331–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies-Colley, R. J., & Payne, G. W. (2023). Cooling streams with riparian trees: Thermal regime depends on total solar radiation penetrating the canopy. Austral Ecology, 48, 1064–1073.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egler, F. (1977). The nature of vegetation: Its management and mismanagement. Aton Forest.

    Google Scholar 

  • Egli, M., Mirabella, A., Sartori, G., Zanelli, R., & Bischof, S. (2006). Effect of north and south exposure on weathering rates and clay mineral formation in Alpine soils. Catena, 67, 155–174.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Faget, M., Blossfeld, S., von Gillhaussen, P., Schurr, U., & Temperton, V. (2013). Disentangling who is who during rhizosphere acidification in root interactions: Combining fluorescence with optode techniques. Frontiers in Plant Science, 4, 392.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fassnacht, K. S., Gower, S. T., MacKenzie, M. D., Nordheim, E. V., & Lillesand, T. M. (1997). Estimating the leaf area index of north central Wisconsin forests using the Landsat Thematic Mapper. Remote Sensing of Environment, 61, 229–245.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Francos, M., Stefanuto, E. B., Úbeda, X., & Pereira, P. (2019). Long-term impact of prescribed fire on soil chemical properties in a wildland-urban interface. Northeastern Iberian Peninsula. Science of the Total Environment, 689, 305–311.

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Geiger, R. R., Aron, H., & Todhunter, P. (2003). The climate near the ground (6th ed.). Rowman and Littlefield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilliam, F. S. (2023). Chronic exclusion of fire in longleaf pine stands of an urban interface: The University of West Florida Campus Ecosystem Study. Forests, 14, 1125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilliam, F. S., Detzel, S. J., Bray, K. D., & Major, E. A. (2021). The University of West Florida campus Ecosystem Study: The college/university campus as a unit for study of the ecology of longleaf pine. Urban Ecosystem, 24, 1073–1082.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilliam, F. S., Hédl, R., Chudomelová, M., McCulley, R. L., & Nelson, J. A. (2014). Variation in vegetation and microbial linkages with slope aspect in a montane temperate hardwood forest. Ecosphere, 5, 66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilliam, F. S., Hargis, E. A., Rabinowitz, S. K., Davis, B. C., Sweet, L. L., & Moss, J. A. (2023). Soil microbiomes of hardwood- versus pine-dominated stands: Linkage with overstory species. Ecosphere, 14, e4537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hine, A. C. (2013). Geologic history of Florida: Major events that formed the Sunshine State. University Press of Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurlbert, S. H. (1984). Pseudoreplication and the design of ecological field experiments. Ecological Monographs, 54, 187–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis, J. E. (2008). The next larger picture: An anecdotal history of the master planning of the campus of the University of West Florida and the design and construction of its buildings for the initial thirty-something years; a memoir, of sorts. Pioneer Series/University of West Florida Foundation, Inc..

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenny, H. (1980). The soil resource. Springer-Verlag.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Jenny, H., Arkley, R. J., & Schultz, A. M. (1969). The pygmy forest-podsol ecosystem and Its Dune Associates of the Mendocino Coast. Madroño, 20, 60–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knapp, A., & Smith, W. (1982). Factors influencing understory seedling establishment of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) in southeast Wyoming. Canadian Journal of Botany, 60, 2753–2761.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knapp, A. K., & Smith, W. K. (1989). Influence of growth from on ecophysiological responses to variable sunlight in subalpine plants. Ecology, 70, 1069–1082.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knight, G. R., Oetting, J. B., & Cross, L. (2011). Atlas of Florida’s natural heritage—Biodiversity, landscapes, stewardship, and opportunities. Institute of Science and Public Affairs, Florida State University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loik, M. E., & Holl, K. D. (2001). Photosynthetic responses of tree seedlings in grass and under shrubs in early-successional tropical old fields, Costa Rica. Oecologia, 127, 40–50.

    Article  ADS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marse, C. (2007). Rising fiery constellation: A portrait of the University of West Florida from birth to forty. Pioneer Series.

    Google Scholar 

  • McHarg, I. L. (1995). Design with nature (25th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neufeld, H. S., & Young, D. R. (2014). Ecophysiology of the herbaceous layer in temperate deciduous forests. In F. S. Gilliam (Ed.), The herbaceous layer in forests of eastern North America (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rech, J. A., Reeves, R. W., & Hendricks, D. M. (2001). The influence of slope aspect on soil weathering in the Springerville volcanic field, Arizona. Catena, 43, 49–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roman, L.A., Fristensky, J.P., Eisenman ,T.S., Greenfield, E.J., Lundgren, R.E., Cerwinka, C.E., Hewitt, D.A., & Welsh, C.C. (2017). Growing canopy on a College campus: Understanding urban forest change through archival records and aerial photography. Environmental Management, 60, 1042–1061.

  • Santiago, L. S., & Dawson, T. E. (2014). Light use efficiency of California redwood forest understory plants along a moisture gradient. Oecologia, 174, 351–363.

    Article  ADS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saxton, K. E., & Rawls, W. J. (2006). Soil water characteristic estimates by texture and organic matter for hydrologic solutions. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 70, 1569–1578.

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, A., Jose, S., Bohn, K. K., & Andreu, M. G. (2012). Effects of reproduction methods and overstory species composition on understory light availability in longleaf pine–slash pine ecosystems. Forest Ecology and Management, 284, 22–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silver, W. L., Neff, J., McGroddy, M., Veldkamp, E., Keller, M., & Cosme, R. (2000). Effects of soil texture on belowground carbon and nutrient storage in a lowland Amazonian forest ecosystem. Ecosystems, 3, 193–209.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Šmilauer, P., & Lepš, J. (2014). Multivariate analysis of ecological data using CANOCO 5 (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Tajchman, S. J., Harris, M. H., & Townsend, E. C. (1988). Variability of the radiative index of dryness in an Appalachian watershed. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 42, 199–207.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Tajchman, S. J., & Lacey, C. J. (1986). Bioclimatic factors in forest site potential. Forest Ecology and Management, 14, 211–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troeh, F. R., & Thompson, L. M. (1993). Soils and fertility (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, P. V. (1984). Campus: An American planning tradition. MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S.D.A. (2004). Soil survey of Escambia County, Florida. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Way, D. A., & Pearcy, R. W. (2012). Sunflecks in trees and forests: From photosynthetic physiology to global change biology. Tree Physiology, 32, 1066–1081.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zar, J. H. (2009). Biostatistical analysis (5th ed.). Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We also thank Alan Knapp for his input into methodology of light measurements. We especially thank Johan Liebens of the UWF Department of Earth and Environmental Science for his generosity in allowing extensive use of his laboratory space, equipment, and supplies.

Availability of data and materials

All data from this study are available from FRANK S. GILLIAM upon request.

Funding

We thank the UWF Office of Undergraduate Research for financial support via the Summer Undergraduate Research Program.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, 32514, USA

    Frank S. Gilliam & Alayna L. Currey

  2. Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, 32514, USA

    Alayna L. Currey, Leo P. Young, Brenton C. Davis & Caden M. Perry

Authors
  1. Frank S. Gilliam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alayna L. Currey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Leo P. Young
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Brenton C. Davis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Caden M. Perry
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Frank S. Gilliam conceived the research; Alayna L. Currey, Leo P. Young, Brenton C. Davis, and Caden M. Perry collected the field data; Frank S. Gilliam, Alayna L. Currey, Leo P. Young, Brenton C. Davis, and Caden M. Perry collected the laboratory data; Frank S. Gilliam analyzed the data; Frank S. Gilliam, Alayna L. Currey, Leo P. Young, Brenton C. Davis, and Caden M. Perry wrote the paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frank S. Gilliam.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

All authors have read, understood, and have complied as applicable with the statement on “Ethical responsibilities of Authors” as found in the Instructions for Authors.

Research involving human participants and/or animals

Not applicable

Consent to participate

Not applicable

Consent for publication

All authors consent for this paper to be published.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gilliam, F.S., Currey, A.L., Young, L.P. et al. The University of West Florida Campus Ecosystem Study: effects of forest vegetation on light availability and soil processes. Environ Monit Assess 196, 140 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12327-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12327-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation