Pacific Southwest Research Station

Education

B.S. Calfornia Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Soil Science, 1981)
M.S. University of Nebraska (Soil Microbiology, 1984)
Ph.D. Oregon State University (Soil Microbiology, 1989)

Professional Background

Research Microbiologist, PSW Station (1995 to present)
Research Microbiologist (post doctoral), USDA Forest Serv., PNW (1989-1991)
Ecologist, USDA Forest Serv, PNW Regional Ecology Program (1992-1995)

Research Interests/Duties

To improve our understanding of nutrient cycling processes in managed forests. My work focuses on the regulation of soil carbon and nitrogen cycling by bacterial and fungal communities. Applied research projects are designed to provide new knowledge on the function of microorganisms in relation to forest sustainability.

Current Emphases, Studies, Projects

• Carbon dioxide efflux, effects of competing vegetation and soil nutrient availability on microbial respiration (Garden of Eden experiment).
• Symbiotic N fixation by bitterbrush and ceanothus in eastside pine forests.
• Changes in microbial activity and soil nutrient pools in response to manipulation of understory vegetation.
• Long-term forest sustainability following thinning, prescribed fire, and fertilization.
• Effect of organic matter content and soil porosity on decomposition processes (LTSP study).

Selected Publications

Available Online

Matt D. Busse, Carol J. Shestak, Ken R. Hubbert, and Eric E. Knapp. 2010. Soil Physical Properties Regulate Lethal Heating during Burning of Woody Residues. Soil Sci Soc Am J 2010 74: 947-955.

Busse, M.D., Cochran, P.H., Hopkins, W.E., W. Johnson, Fiddler, G.O., Riegel, G.M., Ratcliff, A.W., C.J. Shestak. 2009. Developing resilient ponderosa pine forests with mechanical thinning and prescribed fire in central Oregon's pumice region. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 39: 1171-1185.

Busse, M.D., G.M. Riegel. 2009. Response of antelope bitterbrush to repeated burning in central Oregon ponderosa pine forests. Forest Ecology and Management 257: 904-910.

Busse, M.D., F.G. Sanchez, A.W. Ratcliff, J.R. Butnor, E.A. Carter, R.F. Powers. 2009. Soil carbon sequestration and changes in fungal and bacterial biomass following incorporation of forest residues. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 41: 220-227.

Busse, M.D., M.F. Jurgensen, D. Page-Dumroese, R.F. Powers. 2007. Contribution of actinorhizal shrubs to site fertility in a northern California mixed-pine forest. Forest Ecology and Management 244: 68-75.

Busse, M.D., S.E. Beattie, R.F. Powers, F.G. Sanchez, and A.E. Tiarks. 2006. Microbial community responses in forest mineral soil to compaction, organic matter removal, and vegetation control. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 36: 577-588.

Ratcliff, A.W., M.D. Busse, and C.J. Shestak. 2006. Changes in microbial community structure following herbicide (glyphosate) additions to forest soils. Applied Soil Ecology 34: 114-124.

Zhang, J.W., W.W. Oliver & M.D. Busse. 2006. Growth and development of ponderosa pine on sites of contrasting productivities: relative importance of stand density and shrub competition effects. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 36: 2426-2438

Busse, M.D., and L.F. DeBano. 2005. Soil biology. In (D. Neary, K. Ryan, L. DeBano, eds.) Wildland fire in ecosystems. Effects of fire on soil and water. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep RMRS-GTR-42-volume 4. p. 73-91.

Busse, Matt D.,, Ken R. Hubbert, Gary O. Fiddler, Carol J. Shestak, and Robert F. Powers (2005) Lethal soil temperatures during burning of masticated forest residues.

Shestak C.J. and Busse M.D. (2005). Compaction Alters Physical but not Biological Indices of Soil Health.

Busse, M.D., G.O. Fiddler, and A.W. Ratcliff. 2004. Ectomycorrhizal formation in herbicide-treated soils of differing clay and organic matter content. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 152: 23-34.

Busse, M.D.; Ratcliff, A.W.; Shestak, C.J.; Powers, R.F. 2001. Glyphosate toxicity and the effects of long-term vegetation control on soil microbial communities. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 33: 1777-1789.

Busse, M.D. 2000. Suitability and use of 15N-isotope dilution method to estimate nitrogen fixation by actinorhizal shrubs. Forest Ecology and Management 136:85-95.

Busse, M.D., S.A. Simon, and G.M. Riegel. 2000. Tree-growth and understory responses to low-severity prescribed burning in thinned Pinus ponderosa forests of central Oregon. Forest Science 46:258-268.

Busse, M.D., P.H. Cochran, and J.W. Barrett. 1996. Changes in ponderosa pine productivity following removal of understory vegetation. Soil Science Society of America Journal 60:1614-1621.


Not Available Online

Busse, Matt D., Samual E. Beattie, Robert F. Powers, Felipe G. Sanchez, and Allan E. Tiarks. 2006. Microbial community responses in forest mineral soil to compaction, organic matter removal, and vegetation control. Can. J. For. Res. 36: Pages 577-588.

Busse, Matt D. and Leonard F. DeBano. 2005. Chapter 4: Soil Biology. In: Neary, Daniel G.; Ryan, Kevin C.; DeBano, Leonard F., (eds.). Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on soils and water. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol.4. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 250p.

Busse, M., G. Fiddler, and N. Gillette. 2003. Are herbicides detrimental to ectomycorrhizae? In: Cooper, S.L. (comp.) Proceedings, 24th Ann. Forest Vegetation Management Conference, Jan. 14-16, 2003; Redding, CA. Univ. California Coop. Exten., Redding, CA. p. 46-53.

Busse, M.D. 2000. Ecological significance of nitrogen fixation by actinorhizal shrubs in interior forests of California and Oregon. In: Powers, R.F.; Hauxwell, D.L.; Nakamura, G.O. (eds.) Forest soils biology and forest management. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-178. Pacific Southwest Res. Stn., Albany, CA. p. 23-41.

Busse, M.D. 2000. Suitability and use of the 15N-isotopic dilution method to estimate nitrogen fixation by actinorhizal shrubs. Forest Ecol. Manage. 136: 85-95.

Busse, M.D.; Simon, S.A.; Riegel, G.M. 2000. Tree-growth and understory responses to low-severity prescribed burning in thinned Pinus ponderosa forests of central Oregon. Forest Sci. 46: 258-268.

Busse, M.D. 1998. Out of sight, but not out of mind: soil microorganisms in moisture-limited forests. In: Meurisse, R.T.; Ypsilantis, W.G.; Seybold, C. (tech. eds.) Prodeedings, Pacific Northwest forest and rangeland soil organism symposium. Corvallis, OR 17-19 March 1998. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-461. p. 146-155.

Busse, M.D. 1997. Ecological significance of nitrogen fixation by actinorhizal shrubs in interior forests of California and Oregon. PSW Gen. Tech. Rep.

Busse, M.D., P.H. Cochran, and J.W. Barrett. 1996. Changes in ponderosa pine productivity following removal of understory vegetation. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 60: 1614-1621.

Busse, M.D. 1994. Downed bole-wood decomposition in lodgepole pine forests of central Oregon. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 58: 221-227.

Busse, M.D. 1989. Growth and nodulating responses of Rhyzobium meliloti to water stress induced by permeating and nonpermeating solutes. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 55: 2431-2426.