New Publication in the Journal of Arid Environments.

Dr. Christopher Ruhland and undergraduate student Philip Fraley published the paper “The influence of initial phenolic content and UV-screening effectiveness on abiotic photodegradation of Wyoming big sagebrush litter collected along an elevation gradient” in the Journal of Arid Environments. The paper examines how initial concentrations of ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing phenolics and epidermal UV-transmittance influenced abiotic photodecomposition of Artemisia tridentata ssp. Wyomingensis (Wyoming big sagebrush) leaves exposed to ultraviolet radiation in a laboratory setting. 

You can read more here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140196323001556

New publication in Biogeochemistry

Dr. Thomas Day, Jennifer Urbine and Michael Bliss published the paper “Supplemental precipitation accelerates decay but only in photodegraded litter and implications that sunlight promotes leaching loss” in the journal Biogeochemistry. The paper examines the interactions between precipitation and photodegradation could play a role in the inconsistent response of decay to precipitation.

You can read more at:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10533-022-00888-x

Publication in Ecosystems

Dr. Thomas Day and graduate student Michael Bliss at ASU published “Solar Photochemical Emission of CO₂ From Leaf Litter: Sources and Significance to C Loss” in the journal Ecosystems. The study examines the temperature response of abiotic photochemical emission of CO₂ from 12 litter types under midday sunlight in the Sonoran Desert, assessed what litter traits predicted emission rates, and estimated its significance to litter C loss. You can read more at:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10021-019-00473-8

New Publication in Scientific Reports

Dr. Christopher Ruhland and graduate student Joshua Niere (MNSU) recently published “The effects of surface albedo and initial lignin concentration on photodegradation of two varieties of Sorghum bicolor” in Nature’s online journal Scientific Reports.

The study examines how albedo of soil surfaces can influence decomposition rates of agricultural crop remnants and stover for extended periods of time. They found that surfaces that mimic snow with high ultraviolet- and visible-radiation reflectivity can accelerate photodegradation of sorghum litter in Southern Minnesota.

You can read more here:  Scientific Reports

Publication in Biogeochemistry

Dr. Day and graduate student Michael Bliss (ASU) recently published an article in the journal Biogeochemistry.   The paper provides much-needed spectral weighting functions for CO2 emission from different litter types driven by photodegradation.   The paper is entitled “A spectral weighting function for abiotic photodegradation based on photochemical emission of CO2 from leaf litter in sunlight.”

You can read more here:Biogeochemistry Link

 

Publication in Ecosphere

Dr. Day (ASU) along with post-doc Dr. Guenon, grad students Michael Bliss and Alexander Tomes and undergraduate student Sarah Placek recently published in the May 2019 issue of Ecosphere.   The study examines gaseous emissions from leaf litter exposed to solar radiation.  You can read more about their findings here:  Day et al. (2019)

Publication in Global Change Biology

The article “Desert leaf litter decay: Coupling of microbial respiration, water-soluble fractions and photodegradation” was published in the November issue of Global Change Biology.   The paper examines how soluble litter fractions and associated microbial respiration are indicators of decomposition in desert systems.  The full citation is:

Day TA, Bliss MS, Tomes AR, Ruhland CT and R Guenon (2018) Desert leaf litter decay: Coupling of microbial respiration, water-soluble fractions and photodegradation. Global Change Biology 24: 5454-5470.

You can read more at the following link:  Day et al. (2018)

(Note:  Institutional Access may be required)

Thesis Defense

Congratulations to Mr. Joshua Niere who successfully defended his thesis and graduated with his Master of Science degree from Minnesota State University.  Nice work Josh!

 

New Publication

Dr. Ruhland recently published an article with Dr. Timothy Secott (MNSU) and undergraduate authors Amanda Remund and Celsey Tiry. Their paper was a direct product of undergraduate research performed by Amanda and Celsey. The study examines how differences in initial lignin concentrations in plant litter influences decomposition and soil inputs in an agricultural setting.

 

The citation is:

Ruhland CT, Remund AJ, Tiry, CM and TE Secott. (2018) Litter decomposition of three lignin-deficient mutants of Sorghum bicolor during spring thaw. Acta Oecologica 91: 16-21.

 

You can read more here:

 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1146609X17303168

 

MNSU Undergraduate Research Conference

MNSU students Kaitlyn Kuehn, Samuel Schmid and Erin Moseman presented their recent findings that the 2018 MNSU Undergraduate Research Conference.

Kaitlyn’s poster was entitled “The impacts of UV-B radiation and litter placement on the microbial community structure on Typha angustifolia detritus.”

Sam’s poster was entitled “Assessing the role of UV-B radiation and litter position on bulk-soluble phenylpropanoid concentrations in Typha angustifolia.”