Jared L. DeForest

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2004
Forest Soils, Microbial Ecology,
and Biogeochemistry

Porter Hall 419

740 593 0742

Departmental Service

Awards Committee
Curriculum Committee
OCEES Advisory Board
MSES Advisory Board

Professional Service

Subject Editor, Soil Biology & Biochemistry

Research Program Summary

My research goals are to understand how human activities alter the structure and function of forested ecosystems, with an emphasis on soil biota and nutrient cycling processes. Specifically, my research investigates how anthropogenic stressors (e.g., acid deposition and mine-lands) influence soil function. My research draws from soil science, ecosystem ecology, microbial ecology, and forestry.

Selected References

Within the last 5 years:

Smucker, N.J., DeForest J.L., Vis M.L. 2009. Difference methods and storage duration affect measurements of epilithic extracellular enzyme activities in lotic biofilms. Hydrobiologia., 636:153-162.

DeForest, JL. 2009. The influence of time, storage temperature, and substrate age on potential soil enzyme activity in acidic forest soils using MUB-linked substrates and L-DOPA. Soil Biology and Biochemistry., 41:1180-1186.

Yuan W., Luo Y, Richardson RD, et al. 2009. Latitudinal patterns of magnitude and interannual variability in net ecosystem exchange regulated by biological and environmental variables. Global Change Biology., 15:2905-2920.

DeForest, JL., Chen J., McNulty SG. 2009. Leaf litter is an important mediator of soil respiration in an oak-dominated forest. Int. J. Biometeorol., 53: 127-134.

Li, Q, Moorhead DL., DeForest, JL., Henderson R., Chen J., Jensen R. 2009. Mixed litter decomposition in a managed Missouri Ozark forest ecosystem. For. Ecol. Manage., 257: 688-694.

Noormets, A., McNulty SG., DeForest JL., Sun G., Li, Q., Chen J. 2008. Drought during canopy development has lasting effect on annual carbon balance in a deciduous temperate forest. New Phytologist., 179: 818-828.

Li, Q, Chen, J, Moorhead DL., DeForest JL., Jensen R, Henderson R. 2007. Effects of timber harvest on carbon pools in Ozark Forests. Can. J. For. Res., 37: 2337-2348.

DeForest, JL., Noormets A., Chen J., McNulty M., Sun G., Tenney G. 2006. Phenophases in an oak-dominated forest alter the soil respiration-temperature relationship. Int. J. Biometeorol. 51: 135-144.

DeForest, JL., Zak DR., Pregitzer KS., Burton AJ. 2005.;Atmospheric nitrate deposition and enhanced dissolved organic carbon leaching: Test of a potential mechanism. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 69: 1233-1237.

DeForest, JL., Zak DR., Pregitzer KS., Burton AJ. 2004. Atmospheric nitrate deposition and the microbial degradation of cellobiose and vanillin in a northern hardwood forest. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 36: 965-971.

DeForest, JL., Zak DR., Pregitzer KS., Burton AJ. 2004. Atmospheric nitrate deposition, microbial community composition, and enzyme activity in northern hardwood forests. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 68: 132-138.

Funding

National Science Foundation (NSF-DEB)
Ohio University (OURC)

Current and Recent Research Projects

1) Soil acidification and eastern hardwood forests. Experimental studies are used to understand how soil acidity impacts the composition of soil microorganisms and the ecosystem level processes they mediate. Special emphasis is placed on the cycling of phosphorus.

2) Plant litter biochemistry and soil function. Emphasis on understand how reintroduction of American chestnut will influence soil processes.

3) Soil restoration. Emphasis is placed on restoring ecosystem function on reclaimed mine-lands.

4) Organic Farming. Investigating how land management influences the ability of soil microorganism to cycles organic nutrients.

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