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Harvard Forest REU Symposium Abstract 2012
- Title: Bird’s-Eye View: Using GIS for Plot Level Data
- Author: Margaret A Garcia (Villanova University)
- Abstract:
Soil carbon respiration (SCR) is an important indicator of global climate change. Spatial analysis is necessary in order to obtain a clear view of the varying characteristics that affect SCR. Varying temperatures and levels of moisture may cause an increase or decrease in the production of carbon dioxide. We studied these changes at the Harvard Forest long-term ecological research site. A Li-Cor 6400XT was used to obtain average carbon dioxide efflux values and temperature on a 48 plots scattered throughout the forest. In addition, soil moisture measurements were taken with a moisture sensor probe. We found that carbon dioxide increased with increasing temperature. Moisture also increased with increasing moisture. We used Geographic Informational Systems (GIS) techniques to display the trends at the forest level from data collected at a plot level. From the GIS maps, we found that areas with higher temperature released higher concentrations of carbon dioxide. Similarly, regions with lower moisture exhibited less emanation of carbon dioxide. The use of maps is relevant to better understand soil respiration and its effects throughout the forest. Based on the findings of our study, we could conclude that a decrease in temperature could lead a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions and moisture. These relationships could evolve over time, depending on various factors. Alterations to the land use, such as decreased forest area, changes in plant community structure, or soil drainage can have an impact on carbon dioxide, moisture, and temperature regimes.
- Research Category: Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
