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News Release 17-115
Dust on the wind: Study reveals surprising role of dust in mountain ecosystems
Southern Sierra Nevada forests rely on nutrients from windborne dust
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Sierra Nevada Mountain forests receive a large percentage of their nutrients from windborne dust.
Credit: Lindsay Arvin
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Trees anchored in bedrock break up the rock and create soil, but most nutrients come from dust.
Credit: Lindsay Arvin
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What stories they tell: Jeffrey pine needles have a record of the trees' dust-derived nutrients.
Credit: Lindsay Arvin
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Scientists sampled live pine needles to measure nutrients from dust and from bedrock.
Credit: Lindsay Arvin
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Pine needles revealed how Sierra Nevada conifers use nutrients from windborne dust.
Credit: Lindsay Arvin
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Windborne dust plays a large role in mountain ecosystems around the world.
Credit: Lindsay Arvin
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