Soil Microbes Respond Similarly to Forest Harvest in the Pacific Northwest

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), a historically dominant species in the Pacific Northwest, is the primary tree harvested and re-planted throughout forested regions of Oregon and Washington. Stands are typically in their second or third rotation, but it remains poorly understood how soil microbial communities respond to conventional timber harvest and subsequently drive biogeochemical cycling between rotations. Identifying trends in biogeochemical responses across this region may help forest managers maximize productivity and environmental stewardship.