Sedgwick Reserve

20 May, 06 AM - 21 May, 06 AM

The shrubland/grassland boundary appears to have the potential to be a dynamic system or a stable one. For example, some climate models project expansion of grassland over the next 50 years at the expense of chaparral. In coastal areas shrub encroachment has been documented, whereas historical photographs show very little change in grassland/shrubland boundaries in many areas. The aim of this study is to understand what factors may be directing the system toward one characteristic or the other. The impact of herbivory is assessed locally with experimental studies on a UCD reserve (Quail Ridge). The impact of climate is to be assessed through a numerical study using a GIS, and through a North California wide study. The latter study would also allow to get an idea of the impact of the vegetation itself and of the soils on the observed dynamics.

Visit #18167 @Sedgwick Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 20030 | Research

Study of the controls of the shrubland/grassland boundary

graduate_student - University of California, Davis

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Marc Coudel May 20 - 21, 2009 (2 days)

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