Tyler Sadutto conducted a study to understand how the addition of CaSiO3 affects soil respiration. The objectives were to measure total soil respiration, fine root production, and microbial respiration in calcium and control plots. Total soil respiration was measured every two weeks using a LI-COR 8100 and soil collars. Fine root production was measured using root screens over three weeks. Microbial respiration was measured using a base trap method on soil samples from each plot. The expected results were a decrease in fine root production, microbial respiration, and overall total soil respiration with the addition of CaSiO3.

1. Tyler Sadutto
MELNHE Shoestring Crew
Franklin University Switzerland ‘16
Does CaSiO3 Enhance Soil
Respiration, Fine Root Production,
or Microbial Activity?

2. Introduction – Soil Respiration
 Measure of CO2 emitted
from soil surface
 Heterotrophic and
Autotrophic
 Thought to decrease
with increased nutrient
availability
 Studied with N and P
additions
 Effects of CaSiO3 are
unknown

3. Objectives
 To understand how CaSiO3
affects soil respiration by
measuring
 Total soil respiration
 Fine root production
 Microbial respiration

4. Methods
 Calcium and Control plots – C1, C6, C8 at BEF
 Total Soil Respiration:
 LI-COR 8100 and soil respiration collars
 Measured every two weeks
 Fine Root Production:
 Root screens
 Weigh biomass after three weeks
 Microbial Respiration:
 One soil sample from each plot
 Base Trap Method

5. Expected Results
 Decrease in fine root production
 Decrease in microbial respiration
 Overall decrease in total soil respiration

6. References
 Fahey TJ et al. 2005. Soil Respiration and Soil Carbon Balance in a Northern Hardwood Forest Ecosystem.
Canadian Journal of Forest Research 35: 244-253.
 Hamburg S et al. 2003. Biotic Control of Calcium Cycling in Northern Hardwood Forests: Acid Rain and Aging
Forests. Ecosystems 6: 399-406.
 Hanson et al. 2000. Separating Root and Soil Microbial Contributions to Soil Respiration: a Review of
Methods and Observations. Biogeochemistry 48: 115-146.
 McLaughlin M, Wimmer R. 1999. Tansley Review No. 104: Calcium Physiology and Terrestrial Ecosystem
Processes. New Phytology 142: 373-417.
 Peng Y, Thomas S. 2010. Influence of Non-Nitrogenous Soil Amendments On Soil CO2 Efflux and Fine Root
Production in an N-Saturated Northern Hardwood Forest. Ecosystems 13: 1145-1156.
 Raich J, Potter C. 1995. Global Patterns of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Soils. Global Biogeochemical
Cycles 9(1): 23-36.
 Rastetter EB et al. 2013. Recovery from Disturbance that Requires Resynchronization of Ecosystem Nutrient
Cycles. Ecological Applications 23(3): 621-642.
 Savage K et al. 2013. Long-term Changes in Forest Carbon Under Temperature and Nitrogen Amendments in
a Temperate Northern Hardwood Forest. Global Change Biology 19: 2389-2400.
 Schlesinger W. 1977. Carbon balance in Terrestrial Detritus. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics: 51-81.
 Yanai R et al. 2005. New Insights into Calcium Depletion in Northeastern Forests. Journal of Forestry: 14-20.
 Zak D et al. 2006. Microbial Cycling of C and N in Northern Hardwood Forests Receiving Chronic NO3
-
Deposition. Ecosystems 9: 242-253.
 Zhou W et al. 2014. Effects of Soil Moisture on the Temperature Sensitivity of Soil Heterotrophic Respiration:
A Laboratory Incubation Study. PLOS ONE 9(3): 1-10.

7. Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the following people for their support and
guidance:
Jerome Barner
Tim Fahey
Melany Fisk
Mariann Johnston
Matt Vadeboncoeur
Ruth Yanai
Shoestring Crew ‘15:
Brigid Farrell, Austin Frewert, Matt Hayden, Nick Hodom, Caitlin
Holmes, Aaliyah Jason, Isaac Jo, Jalina Pannafino, Jessie Smith,
Jessica Swindon