A 20-hectare plot at the Paint Rock ForestGEO site in north Alabama (29,282 trees mapped) reveals how landscape features shape tree species distribution and biomass. While overall biomass did not correlate with landform or topographic indices, the biomass of individual species did. The dominant species appeared to partition the site with American beech and yellow-poplar dominating the valleys, and white oak, southern shagbark hickory, and white ash predominantly on slopes and benches Average biomass was 211 Mg/ha., The species distribution demonstrates how topographic niche partitioning maximizes ecosystem carbon storage, as published in Forest Ecosystems.

Both biotic factors (microbial biomass and leaf nutrients) and abiotic factors (climate, soil properties, and elevation) play important roles in shaping how sensitive forest soil respiration (Q₁₀) is to temperature changes. By analyzing 766 soil Q₁₀ values from forests around the world, researchers found that microbial biomass carbon is the strongest single predictor, with plant traits like leaf phosphorus content also having a clear impact. The findings highlight the need to consider both biotic and abiotic influences when managing forests and improving carbon cycle models in a warming climate.