This organic matter, composed of decaying leaves and branches, airborne particulates and moisture, is called canopy soil or arboreal soil.
"This is the first study to look at the distribution patterns of canopy soils across forests and one of very few studies that have sought to examine canopy soil properties."
Murray says tree canopies in the tropical montane forest systems are especially dense, with thick moss, soil and an abundance of epiphytes - plants that grow on other plants - often referred to as "Air plants" - that are not parasitic and have little or no attachment to other obvious nutrient sources.
"I initially conducted surveys to assess canopy soil abundance from the ground with binoculars. But it was really necessary to climb up into the trees to get an accurate picture of what was going on."
"I think canopy soil stores 0.4 to 4 percent of total soil carbon in the forests where it is found, which is not being counted in ecosystem carbon budgets."
Mentored by USU Biology Professor John Stark and former USU faculty member Bonnie Waring, the latter now with Imperial College London and an author on the paper, Murray says the team's results indicate both climate and tree size play an important role in canopy soil abundance, carbon stocks and chemistry.
"Climate, particularly fog and temperature changes, appear to drive canopy soil abundance across forests, while tree size determines canopy soil abundance within a forest," she says.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
She's among researchers unraveling mysteries of the dense, mossy humus that provides rich habitat for insects, birds, fungi, worms and plants, as well as a generous reservoir for carbon storage.
Murray is referring to a site designated "Puesto 1070," located along a contiguous tract of primary forest, which required a steep trek from about 1,970 feet in elevation to 3,608 -- in thick mud.
Mentored by USU Biology Professor John Stark and former USU faculty member Bonnie Waring, the latter now with Imperial College London and an author on the paper, Murray says the team's results indicate both climate and tree size play an important role in canopy soil abundance, carbon stocks and chemistry.
"Our findings reveal canopy soil's vulnerability to climate change, and its decline, could cause a significant decrease in carbon storage resources."
"It may take decades longer for recovered forests destroyed by wildfire or development to regenerate robust canopy soil mats."
A 2022 recipient of the Ecological Society of America's Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award, Murray is among a number of Aggies presenting at the ESA's 2023 Annual Meeting Aug. 6-11, in Portland, Oregon.
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