Event Title
Connecting Differences in Phenology to Changes in Arctic Plant Communities
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Biology
Mentor Information
Robert Hollister, hollistr@gvsu.edu; Jeremy May, mayj@gvsu.edu
Department
Biology
Location
Henry Hall Atrium 31
Start Date
13-4-2011 10:00 AM
End Date
13-4-2011 11:00 AM
Keywords
Global Change, Life Science
Abstract
Arctic plant species have different growth and reproductive patterns; in the short Arctic growing season, some species will begin growing or flowering earlier than others. When a species's growth and reproduction are triggered by temperature rather than available light, climate change can affect the timing of growth and blooming of that species. Since there is variation among species in the timing of these growth and reproductive events, change in temperature will affect different species in different ways. Using data from a long-term warming experiment in northern Alaska, we examine whether these differences are reflected in community change. The poster illustrates how differences in phenology are used to look for changes in the community.
Connecting Differences in Phenology to Changes in Arctic Plant Communities
Henry Hall Atrium 31
Arctic plant species have different growth and reproductive patterns; in the short Arctic growing season, some species will begin growing or flowering earlier than others. When a species's growth and reproduction are triggered by temperature rather than available light, climate change can affect the timing of growth and blooming of that species. Since there is variation among species in the timing of these growth and reproductive events, change in temperature will affect different species in different ways. Using data from a long-term warming experiment in northern Alaska, we examine whether these differences are reflected in community change. The poster illustrates how differences in phenology are used to look for changes in the community.