In a 3-year pilot study, researchers placed sugar maple wood stakes in forest stands to examine the effects of adding nitrogen, phosphorus, both nutrients, and a control on wood decay. Over 273 stakes were distributed across plots with different nutrient additions or a control at 3 sites. The stakes will be collected and analyzed to determine percent mass loss over the study period, with future analysis of nutrients, soil microbes, and their role in wood decay.

1. HAVING A STAKE IN NUTRIENT CYCLING:
EFFECTS OF N AND P ADDITION ON WOOD DECAY
Jenna Zukswert (University of Maine/SUNY ESF) with Ruth Yanai (SUNY ESF), Shawn Fraver (UMaine),
Melany Fisk (Miami University), Martin Jurgensen (Michigan Tech.), Chris Miller (Michigan Tech.)
Images: Shawn Fraver
PILOT STUDY:
● Acer saccharum wood decay stakes
(oven-dried at 75°C for 8 days)
● 3 mature forest stands at Bartlett (C7, C8, C9)
● N, P, NP, and control plots (and one Ca plot)
(21 stakes per plot, 273 stakes in total)
● Percent mass loss from 2019-22 (3 years)
● Other measurements possible after collection (nutrients,
soil biota, etc.)
● Future proposal led by Melany Fisk on microbial
communities and wood decay
Before
After