THE EFFECT OF VEGETATION ON SOIL REDOX WITHIN A SEASONALLY FLOODED FORESTED SYSTEM

The effect of rhizosphere oxidation on redox level was investigated be tween vegetated and denuded plots and between Acer rubrum and Fraxirtu s pennsylvanica seedlings within a seasonally flooded forested system in Virginia. Redox potentials were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the upper 15 cm of the soils in the vegetated plots. Redox potential within the root mass of Acer rubrum seedlings did not differ significa ntly from those adjacent to the root mass. Fraxinus pennsylvanica seed lings showed significantly (p < 0.01) elevated redox potential within the root mass when compared to the adjacent nonrooted area. Vegetation directly influences the redox state of the rhizosphere in seasonally flooded forested systems through seasonal growth patterns and adventit ious root formation. This may have implications in the biogeochemical cycling of soil constituents in forested wetland systems and subsequen t water quality functions.