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Study Number: |
1033 |
|---|---|
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Project Title: |
Gap dendrometer band measurements. |
|
Investigator(s): |
James M. Vose
E-Mail
|
Tel.
828.524.2128 x 114
|
Biographical Sketch Barry Clinton E-Mail | Tel. 828.524.2128 x124 | Biographical Sketch |
| Affiliated Institution(s): | USDA Forest Service |
| Address: |
Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory
3160 Coweeta Lab Road Otto, North Carolina 28763 USA |
| Study Type: | Terrestrial |
| Project Type: | Coweeta Core Research |
| Study Period: |
04/1992 - 09/2000 |
| Status/Notes: | |
| Funding Sources: |
National Science Foundation, DEB-9632854 (Text Version) and DEB-0218001 (Text Version) to Coweeta LTER. |
| Abstract: |
Fact: Tree mortality at small spatial scales represents background levels of forest disturbance in the southern Appalachians, and is the dominant and most frequent initiator of change in terrestrial ecosystems. Hypothesis: Large-scale and rare episodic events (i.e., hurricanes, ice, etc.) may do more to influence tree replacement and stand composition in the long-run than do small scale tree mortality events. Overall Question: What is the ecological significance of small scale mortality events with respect to biotic and abiotic responses? Approach: Experimentally create typical (<300 m2) canopy gaps (girdling and herbicides) at two elevations in Rhododendron and non-Rhododendron areas. Measurements: -automated micro-environmental measurements (air and soil temperature), photosynthetically active radiation, %WC. -hemispherical photography -dendrometer bands and repeated measurements -population dynamics and seedling physiology -in situ closed core N mineralization and nitrification -small and large mammal seed and plant herbivory using exclosures Specific Questions: 1) How are microclimate and nutrient (N) cycling affected by small scale canopy removal? 2) What are the physiological and productivity responses of advanced regeneration? 3) What is the productivity response of non-gap-maker trees (dominants, co-dominant, and saplings)? 4) What strategy for recovery is most likely (seedling recruitment, sapling ingrowth, canopy closure)? 5) How do all of the above relate to/regulate each other? 6) What is the effect of elevation on response? 7) How do responses differ in Rhododendron versus non-Rhododendron areas?  Resources
for students about terms used in this study:Succession in canopy gaps - Source: Coweeta LTER Environmental heterogeneity-tree gaps research - Source: Coweeta LTER Dendrometer Tree Bands, p. 19-21 - Source: 2001 Coweeta Field Technician Procedure Manual |
| Location(s), Described: | Watershed 18 and Watershed 27. |
| Location(s), Download GPS: | ArcView Shape Files (shp.): UTM, NAD83, Zone 17 | Lat/Lon |
| Location(s), Online Maps: |
 Online Map |
| Methods/Experimental Design: | We experimentally created typical (<300 m2) canopy gaps (girdling and herbicides) at two elevations in Rhododendron and non-Rhododendron areas. Repeated dendrometer band measurements were taken. Initial diameters at breast height (DBH) were measured in centimeters. Subsequent readings are in inches-circumference. |
| Sampling Frequency: | Biweekly / monthly. |
| Data Columns: |
Set_ - date tree was banded or measured; (0 =
date tree was initially banded, 1 = second date, etc) Site - Coded value Tree - Tree identification number Year - Year Month - Month Day - Day Reading - Diameter at breast height; initially (set = 0) in centimeters, subsequent readings (set =1-62) in inches-circumference Site Codes: LN1 - Low Elevation Non-rhododendron - plot# 1 LN2 - Low Elevation Non-rhododendron - plot# 2 LN3 - Low Elevation Non-rhododendron - plot# 3 LNC - Low Elevation Non-rhododendron - control LR1 - Low Elevation Rhododendron - plot# 1 LR2 - Low Elevation Rhododendron - plot# 2 LR3 - Low Elevation Rhododendron - plot# 3 LRC - Low Elevation Rhododendron - control UN1 - Upper Elevation Non-rhododendron - plot# 1 UN2 - Upper Elevation Non-rhododendron - plot# 2 UN3 - Upper Elevation Non-rhododendron - plot# 3 UNC - Upper Elevation Non-rhododendron - control UR1 - Upper Elevation Rhododendron - plot# 1 UR2 - Upper Elevation Rhododendron - plot# 2 UR3 - Upper Elevation Rhododendron - plot# 3 URC - Upper Elevation Rhododendron - control Missing Data Codes: . (Period) |
| Publications: |
Representative
publications and research data from investigators of this study: |
| Data Restrictions: | Users must adhere to the Coweeta LTER Data Policy. |
| Metadata: | EML Format (XML Schema) | Information about EML |
| Data Downloads: |
Microsoft® Excel (.xls) Text Comma Delimited (.csv) DBase (.dbf) |