Santa Cruz Island Reserve

13 Mar, 02 AM - 16 Mar, 07 AM

Preliminary ground-based measurements of Eucalyptus globulus trees in one of the historic groves on Santa Cruz Island indicated that these trees may be the tallest flowering plants (angiosperms) in the Western Hemisphere, taller than any known trees in South America or Central America, and taller than any known native flowering plants in North America. Heights of at least three trees were estimated over 70 m with one individual being at least 73 m tall. Ground-based measurements of tree heights are often erroneous, because it is not always possible to see clearly the highest leaves. The best way to get the most accurate measurement of a tree?s total height is to climb to the top and carefully lower a fiberglass tape from the highest leaf to ground level. We are professional tree climbers with vast experience in tall trees around the world, including North America, South America, Australia, and Malaysia. We propose to use soft climbing (i.e., no climbing spikes) techniques to measure accurately the heights of the tallest trees in each of the 5 historic groves on Santa Cruz Island. All of this work would be done by us with no requirement for assistance from other researchers on the island. Verifying the heights of the tallest trees on Santa Cruz Island could become the basis for further research. For example, we are now studying the tallest trees in North America and Australia with funding from the National Science Foundation. One of our goals is to understand the biophysical limits to tree height. In unraveling how trees grow to great heights, we are learning a lot about their physiology. Eucalyptus trees use a lot of water, and they are not native to North America. Thus, the presence of groves of tall trees on Santa Cruz Island may be having dramatic effects on water availability to the native vegetation. Quantifying how much water these trees use may become an important management consideration.

Visit #12030 @Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 7915 | Research

Measuring the tallest trees on Santa Cruz Island

faculty - Humboldt State University (CSU)

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 2 Research Assistant (non-student/faculty/postdoc) Mar 13 - 16, 2007 (4 days)
Stephen Sillett Mar 13 - 16, 2007 (4 days)
Group of 2 Research Scientist/Post Doc Mar 13 - 16, 2007 (4 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Pickup Truck 5 Mar 13 - 16, 2007
Private Room 5 Mar 13 - 16, 2007