Survey of the impacts of an invasive grass (Microstegium vimineum) on soil C and N dynamics in western North Carolina

A survey of soil carbon, nitrogen, plant, and litter decomposition dynamics was conducted along a land-use gradient extending NW from Asheville, NC in the French Broad River Watershed. We selected 12 forest sites between 580 and 780m in elevation. Within each site, there were four paired invaded-uninvaded plots (48 pairs; 96 plots). Invaded plots contained populations of Microstegium vimineum. Soil C pools, soil N pools and transformations, plant community dynamics and litter decomposition rates were quantified in each plot.