Base de données de recherche des TNO

étiquettes: dendrochronology

Objectif(s): To determine the growth and recruitment responses of trees and shrubs to changing climate conditions near the tree line.

Description du projet: To determine the growth and recruitment responses of trees and shrubs to changing climate conditions the near tree line. The research team will measure long-term tree and shrub growth at Havikpak and Trail Valley Creek using tree ring analysis. Specifically, at each site, small wood samples (cores) will be taken from each individual to measure the changes in annual ring widths through time. Within each site, 10 locations will be sampled for each species of interest. Black and white spruce and alder and willow will be sampled at each site with the potential to sample other common woody species where present. Local soil environment may vary with respect to organic layer thickness, drainage, nutrient availability, and active layer thickness and may impact the response of individuals to environmental conditions. Thus, the goal within each site is to sample stands spanning the range of conditions at that site for each tree and shrub species selected. Within each stand, a small core sample will be taken from each of 10 healthy individuals of each study species present. These samples will be stored in paper straws for transport back to the lab where cores will be prepared, mounted on wooden boards, and ring widths measured. Inuvik has a weather station that has operated since the 1960's and Havikpak and Inuvik are each well instrumented with weather stations that have been in operation since the 1980s. This will allow the research team to relate patterns of tree and shrub growth with climate conditions, assess how different species respond to these climate conditions and how site differences impact the response. The research team will work with the Aurora Research Institute to determine whether there are instructors at the college who would be interested in learning more about dendrochronological sampling and analysis or opportunities for educational outreach in the local schools any of which the research team would eagerly contribute to. The researchers will be based out of Inuvik during the entire period thereby facilitating regular, informal dialogue with community members. At the end of the field season in year 1, the researchers will meet with interested individuals to demonstrate the methods used. At the end of year 2, the researchers will host a similar methods-oriented session with a plain language presentation of the results from year 1. Plain language and technical documentation of all results will be provided on the website and that of the Laurier-GNWT Partnership in order to ensure free access to the results. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from August 1, 2014 to September 15, 2014.