KANE — The Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum will host Dr. Zachary Freedman from West Virginia University on Oct. 11, at Grandma Bair’s Conference Center to present the latest information on nitrogen deposition impacts on fungal activity across a northern hardwood forest ecosystem.
Fungal interactions in forest soils can affect tree and plant growth, tree seedling survival, and overall soil health. The exact title of Freedman’s presentation is ‘Don’t miss the microbes for the trees: nitrogen deposition suppresses soil fungal activity across a northern hardwood forest ecosystem.’
Freedman’s research interest covers all soil microbes and their responses to nutrient availability in soils, and he has been particularly interested in the effects of nitrogen deposition to saprotrophs, organisms that derive nourishment from decaying organic matter (leaves, twigs, etc.). This discussion will be of interest to forest managers and landowners — could changes in deposition be part of the explanation for recent changes in our forests?
Grandma Bair’s Conference Center is located 608 N. Fraley St., downtown Kane, and shares a parking lot with the Save-A-Lot grocery store. Preceding the talk will be a no-host social hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The program will start immediately after dinner. Reservations are required. Early reservations received on or before Sept. 27, will be $25.
Reservations received after Sept. 27 will be $30.
No reservations will be accepted after Oct. 4.
The cost for full-time students pursuing a natural resource degree is $10. For reservations, contact the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, PO Box 133, Kane, Pa., 16735, at 814-837-8550 or FAX 814-837-4950, or e-mail hardwood@penn.com.
