{"id":{"repo_id":"umn","oai_identifier":"oai:conservancy.umn.edu:11299/279268"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/umn/oai:conservancy.umn.edu:11299/279268","repository":{"repo_id":"umn","name":"University of Minnesota","base_url":"https://conservancy.umn.edu/server/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Building A Mechanistic Understanding Of Biodiversity And Ecosystem Functioning In Forests","abstract":"Biodiversity supports the productivity, resilience, and functioning of ecosystems over time. However, the underlying mechanisms of how biodiversity begets ecosystem function are still being uncovered. I sought to understand how tree diversity could influence local resource pools of light, water, and nutrients, thereby affecting the growth, stress, and mortality of trees living in the area. I studied trees in a forest biodiversity experiment at different spatial and temporal scales using remote sensing, leaf-level physiological measurements, and soil analyses. First, I found that fast-growing, early successional tree species created a buffered microclimate (reduced daily amplitude of vapor pressure deficit) within forest canopies, relieving physiological stress of slower-growing trees and contributing to increased complementarity in forest stands. Secondly, I uncovered how forest diversity could facilitate the growth and survival of slower-growing trees by increasing potential for carbon gain while reducing stress from excess light exposure and disease. Thirdly, I examined relationships between nitrogen cycling and forest productivity, mediated by tree diversity, tree community composition, litter inputs, and soil microbes. Finally, I collaborated with a team of artists and scientists, using socially engaged art to co-create ecological understanding with broader communities. This research highlights the interconnectedness between trees, abiotic factors, and different trophic levels – including people. A deep understanding of how tree diversity and community composition can influence individual tree physiology and ecosystem functioning can help inform sustainable stewardship of forests for current and future generations.","abstract_html":"Biodiversity supports the productivity, resilience, and functioning of ecosystems over time. However, the underlying mechanisms of how biodiversity begets ecosystem function are still being uncovered. I sought to understand how tree diversity could influence local resource pools of light, water, and nutrients, thereby affecting the growth, stress, and mortality of trees living in the area. I studied trees in a forest biodiversity experiment at different spatial and temporal scales using remote sensing, leaf-level physiological measurements, and soil analyses. First, I found that fast-growing, early successional tree species created a buffered microclimate (reduced daily amplitude of vapor pressure deficit) within forest canopies, relieving physiological stress of slower-growing trees and contributing to increased complementarity in forest stands. Secondly, I uncovered how forest diversity could facilitate the growth and survival of slower-growing trees by increasing potential for carbon gain while reducing stress from excess light exposure and disease. Thirdly, I examined relationships between nitrogen cycling and forest productivity, mediated by tree diversity, tree community composition, litter inputs, and soil microbes. Finally, I collaborated with a team of artists and scientists, using socially engaged art to co-create ecological understanding with broader communities. This research highlights the interconnectedness between trees, abiotic factors, and different trophic levels – including people. A deep understanding of how tree diversity and community composition can influence individual tree physiology and ecosystem functioning can help inform sustainable stewardship of forests for current and future generations.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Park, Maria"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2025,"date_issued":"2025-12","date_published":"2025-12","updated_at":"2026-07-24T05:19:42Z","subjects":["Biodiversity-ecosystem function","Forests","Microenvironments","Plant ecophysiology","Remote sensing","Socially engaged art"],"languages":["en"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/11299/279268","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Park, Maria"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2026-03-18T14:26:03Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2025-12"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis or Dissertation"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Biodiversity-ecosystem function","Forests","Microenvironments","Plant ecophysiology","Remote sensing","Socially engaged art"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["en"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://hdl.handle.net/11299/279268"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description","label":"Description","values":["University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. December 2025. Major: Ecology, Evolution and Behavior. Advisor: Jeannine Cavender-Bares. 1 computer file (PDF); viii, 140 pages."]},{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Biodiversity supports the productivity, resilience, and functioning of ecosystems over time. However, the underlying mechanisms of how biodiversity begets ecosystem function are still being uncovered. I sought to understand how tree diversity could influence local resource pools of light, water, and nutrients, thereby affecting the growth, stress, and mortality of trees living in the area. I studied trees in a forest biodiversity experiment at different spatial and temporal scales using remote sensing, leaf-level physiological measurements, and soil analyses. First, I found that fast-growing, early successional tree species created a buffered microclimate (reduced daily amplitude of vapor pressure deficit) within forest canopies, relieving physiological stress of slower-growing trees and contributing to increased complementarity in forest stands. Secondly, I uncovered how forest diversity could facilitate the growth and survival of slower-growing trees by increasing potential for carbon gain while reducing stress from excess light exposure and disease. Thirdly, I examined relationships between nitrogen cycling and forest productivity, mediated by tree diversity, tree community composition, litter inputs, and soil microbes. Finally, I collaborated with a team of artists and scientists, using socially engaged art to co-create ecological understanding with broader communities. This research highlights the interconnectedness between trees, abiotic factors, and different trophic levels – including people. A deep understanding of how tree diversity and community composition can influence individual tree physiology and ecosystem functioning can help inform sustainable stewardship of forests for current and future generations."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Building A Mechanistic Understanding Of Biodiversity And Ecosystem Functioning In Forests"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:creator":["Park, Maria"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2026-03-18T14:26:03Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2025-12"],"dc:description":["University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. December 2025. Major: Ecology, Evolution and Behavior. Advisor: Jeannine Cavender-Bares. 1 computer file (PDF); viii, 140 pages."],"dc:description.abstract":["Biodiversity supports the productivity, resilience, and functioning of ecosystems over time. However, the underlying mechanisms of how biodiversity begets ecosystem function are still being uncovered. I sought to understand how tree diversity could influence local resource pools of light, water, and nutrients, thereby affecting the growth, stress, and mortality of trees living in the area. I studied trees in a forest biodiversity experiment at different spatial and temporal scales using remote sensing, leaf-level physiological measurements, and soil analyses. First, I found that fast-growing, early successional tree species created a buffered microclimate (reduced daily amplitude of vapor pressure deficit) within forest canopies, relieving physiological stress of slower-growing trees and contributing to increased complementarity in forest stands. Secondly, I uncovered how forest diversity could facilitate the growth and survival of slower-growing trees by increasing potential for carbon gain while reducing stress from excess light exposure and disease. Thirdly, I examined relationships between nitrogen cycling and forest productivity, mediated by tree diversity, tree community composition, litter inputs, and soil microbes. Finally, I collaborated with a team of artists and scientists, using socially engaged art to co-create ecological understanding with broader communities. This research highlights the interconnectedness between trees, abiotic factors, and different trophic levels – including people. A deep understanding of how tree diversity and community composition can influence individual tree physiology and ecosystem functioning can help inform sustainable stewardship of forests for current and future generations."],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/11299/279268"],"dc:language.iso":["en"],"dc:subject":["Biodiversity-ecosystem function","Forests","Microenvironments","Plant ecophysiology","Remote sensing","Socially engaged art"],"dc:title":["Building A Mechanistic Understanding Of Biodiversity And Ecosystem Functioning In Forests"],"dc:type":["Thesis or Dissertation"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T05:19:42Z"}