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.

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Apr 13th, 10:00 AM Apr 13th, 11:00 AM

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.