changes in leaf area index (lai) due to ice storm damage at harvard forest lauren sanchez,...

Changes in leaf area index (LAI) due to ice storm damage at Harvard Forest

Changes in leaf area index (LAI) due to ice storm damage at Harvard Forest

Lauren Sanchez, Middlebury College

In collaboration with Harvard University

Spring Student Symposium 2010

Lauren Sanchez, Middlebury College

In collaboration with Harvard University

Spring Student Symposium 2010

IntroductionIntroduction

Global carbon balance Carbon sink

Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) Long-term measurements Factors affecting NEE measurements

Global carbon balance Carbon sink

Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) Long-term measurements Factors affecting NEE measurements

Disturbance- Ice StormsDisturbance- Ice Storms

Impacts on ecosystems

Variable damage Tree species Nature of stand

New England ice storms Winter 1998 and 2008 Potential impacts due to the

changing climate

Impacts on ecosystems

Variable damage Tree species Nature of stand

New England ice storms Winter 1998 and 2008 Potential impacts due to the

changing climate

http://www.vividlight.com/39/images/01%20Vermont%20Ice%20Storm%201998.jpg

Leaf Area IndexLeaf Area Index

Interaction between vegetation and the atmosphere

Ratio = foliage surface area

ground area Values range from 0-7

Interaction between vegetation and the atmosphere

Ratio = foliage surface area

ground area Values range from 0-7

Eddy covariance method Whole-ecosystem function

approach Measurements- sonic anemometer

and eddy flux tower

Eddy covariance method Whole-ecosystem function

approach Measurements- sonic anemometer

and eddy flux tower

Research Question: Is there a correlation between ice storm damage

and change in LAI values?

Hypothesis:Plots with more ice storm damage, particularly

CWD, would experience a greater decrease in LAI

Research Question: Is there a correlation between ice storm damage

and change in LAI values?

Hypothesis:Plots with more ice storm damage, particularly

CWD, would experience a greater decrease in LAI

MethodsMethods

Biometry component CWD and FWD survey Classifications,

observations

Biometry component CWD and FWD survey Classifications,

observations

Site description Harvard Forest, Petersham, MA

Measurement locations and plots

Site description Harvard Forest, Petersham, MA

Measurement locations and plots

Observed LAI values at Harvard ForestObserved LAI values at Harvard Forest

A comparison of 2008 and 2009 LAI valuesA comparison of 2008 and 2009 LAI values

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

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The average amount of woody biomass in each plot due to the ice storm

The average amount of woody biomass in each plot due to the ice storm

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With D4 Without D4

The relationship between ice storm woody debris and the change in peak LAI for each plot

The relationship between ice storm woody debris and the change in peak LAI for each plot

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QuickTime™ and a decompressor

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With D4 Without D4

R2= 0.37 R2= 0.09

= 0.191P= 0.172

The relationship between ice storm FWD and the change in peak LAI for each plot, excluding D4

The relationship between ice storm FWD and the change in peak LAI for each plot, excluding D4

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

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R2= 0.32

= 0.442P= 0.00038

Comparing the CWD, FWD, and change in LAI values between two deciduous plots

Comparing the CWD, FWD, and change in LAI values between two deciduous plots

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DiscussionDiscussion

The total FWD biomass is comparable to CWD High variability between plots Importance of FWD survey

Strong correlation between amount of ice storm damage and decrease in peak LAI Significant relationship for FWD data Also significant correlation for FWD

data in deciduous plots

The total FWD biomass is comparable to CWD High variability between plots Importance of FWD survey

Strong correlation between amount of ice storm damage and decrease in peak LAI Significant relationship for FWD data Also significant correlation for FWD

data in deciduous plots

Future StudyFuture StudyFuture StudyFuture Study

Continue to extensively track LAI valuesContinue to extensively track LAI values Investigate LAI trajectories and changes in green up and peaksInvestigate LAI trajectories and changes in green up and peaks Climatic modeling and PAR data to determine effect of weatherClimatic modeling and PAR data to determine effect of weather

Continue to extensively track LAI valuesContinue to extensively track LAI values Investigate LAI trajectories and changes in green up and peaksInvestigate LAI trajectories and changes in green up and peaks Climatic modeling and PAR data to determine effect of weatherClimatic modeling and PAR data to determine effect of weather

Steve Trombulak and Andi Lloyd

Dr. Steven C. Wofsy Leland Werden Tammy Connell

Department of Energy GCEP Program

Steve Trombulak and Andi Lloyd

Dr. Steven C. Wofsy Leland Werden Tammy Connell

Department of Energy GCEP Program

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Harvard Forest

Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Harvard Forest