Santa Cruz Island Reserve

19 Apr, 05 AM - 21 Apr, 05 AM

We seek to understand the effect of pigs on biogeochemical processes, such as nutrient cycling, on Santa Cruz Island. Longterm pig exclusion plots on the island clearly demonstrate that pigs affect vegetation type and abundance across a range of habitats. It seems likely that activities related to pig foraging (eg. grazing, browsing, rooting, defecating, urinating) also affect nutrient cycling in plants and soils. To investigate this idea we collect paired samples of plants and surface soils inside and outside of four pig exclusion plots. We will measure the carbon and nitrogen concentrations and stable isotope values of these samples. We will use inside-outside plot differences in these data to quantify the effects of pigs on several basic biogeochemical variables.

Visit #12635 @Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 8326 | Research

Tracking the biogeochemical effects of invasive pigs on Santa Cruz Island via the stable isotope values of vegetation

research_scientist - University of California, Santa Cruz

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Kena Fox-Dobbs Apr 19 - 21, 2007 (3 days)

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Private Room 1 Apr 19 - 21, 2007