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Harvard Forest REU Symposium Abstract 2023
- Title: Wood density differences across red oak and maple branches at Harvard Forest
- Author: Arianne A Lopez del Rincon (University of Florida)
- Abstract:
Trees direct their branches towards light openings in the forest to meet their photic needs. This cannot be done without the strategic allocation of growth resources, which can be measured as the amount of carbon used to form cell wall structures. To understand where this occurs, we measured wood density across increment and angle change sections of 10 red maple and 10 red oak branches. We chose these sections to consider the role of asymmetrical growth along one side of the pith (eccentricity) and/or the presence of tension wood (a reaction wood that forms along the upper side of angiosperm branches) in branch reorientation. Wood density estimates how much a plant invests in its wood, which may point to the parts of a branch at which growth resources like carbon are being placed. Wood density was calculated by the quotient of branch fresh volume and dry mass. A regression was run to determine whether areas of angle change show a pattern of lower or higher density. This may indicate angle change areas as centers for carbon material. We also conducted ANOVA tests to determine whether density differences can be attributed to eccentricity or tension wood. We expect to see wood density differences between above and below halves of a branch section and at areas of angle change. We also anticipate a wood density/tension wood percentage correlation by linear regression, rooted in the fact that tension wood is composed of different proportions of vessels and fibers in comparison to normal wood. If found, this can answer questions surrounding the anatomical components unique to tension wood and how they may affect wood density.
- Research Category: Physiological Ecology, Population Dynamics, and Species Interactions
