Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center

21 Apr, 03 AM - 22 Apr, 10 AM

The purpose of this research is to better understand the interactions between plant form and plant communities with climate of an arid ecosystem. With global climate change we will likely see spreading of arid lands and greater variability in weather patterns which may include hotter dryer summers and rain storms which may be larger but could be few and far between. It is essential that we obtain a better understanding of what has the highest impacts in plants so that we may predict future patterns. This project currently has seven sites but will have ten by the conclusion of this project. At each of these sites, transects will be used to document the number of species and their cover at each site. From each species, as small number of leaves will be collected and analyzed in a lab for specific leaf area and nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus content. Measurements of the photosynthetic maximums for each plant species will be taken using a LiCor 6400. If the leaves are smaller than 6 cm2, then they will be collected and their area calculated in a lab. Water use efficiency will be determined by collecting a small number of leaves in the period immediately following the growing period for the area and analyzing them for C13 content. For decomposition experiments, leaf litter will be collected from each site, weighed, and placed in litter bags. These litter bags will be returned to the sites for different amounts of time before being recollected and weighed. Remote sensing will be used to determine the phenology of the area across multiple years.

Visit #24837 @Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center

Approved

Under Project # 23138 | Research

Variation in plant traits at species and community levels along an altitudinal gradient

graduate_student - University of California, Riverside

Reservation Members(s)

Lauren Velasco Apr 21 - 22, 2011 (2 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Mayhew housing facilities 1 Apr 21 - 22, 2011
Day use 1 Apr 21 - 22, 2011