Linking Above and Below Ground Allometric Growth Patterns in Oak Species
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
10-4-2018 10:00 AM
End Date
10-4-2018 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Matthew Kaproth
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Above ground traits have long been used to explain plant species ability to tolerate environmental stresses (Wright et al. 2004); whereas relatively little exploratory work has been done to understand its below ground counterparts. Fine roots play crucial roles in the life of plants in that they are responsible for absorption and transport of nutrients and water to the rest of the plant, although functional differences in fine root order are not always accounted for (McCormack et al. 2015). While they are difficult to measure, below ground traits are responsible for survivability and growth of a plant and should have equal consideration with above ground traits when exploring resource allocation and growth patterns in plants. Complications in measuring below ground traits arise from the lack of non-destructive methods of observation in addition to the high risk of damage to fine roots through the process of harvesting itself. Here we discuss allometric trait relationships that reveal scaling between fine root and above ground traits using parametric methods of analysis. The study used twenty oak species adapted to a wide variety of native environmental conditions, grown in common garden. Given robust previous studies including a high-resolution family tree, we are able to use phylogenetic independent contrasts implemented to account for phylogenetic inertia present in the different observed species of oak. Analyses allow us to uncover if fine root traits vary with native environmental conditions or are conserved across species.
Linking Above and Below Ground Allometric Growth Patterns in Oak Species
CSU Ballroom
Above ground traits have long been used to explain plant species ability to tolerate environmental stresses (Wright et al. 2004); whereas relatively little exploratory work has been done to understand its below ground counterparts. Fine roots play crucial roles in the life of plants in that they are responsible for absorption and transport of nutrients and water to the rest of the plant, although functional differences in fine root order are not always accounted for (McCormack et al. 2015). While they are difficult to measure, below ground traits are responsible for survivability and growth of a plant and should have equal consideration with above ground traits when exploring resource allocation and growth patterns in plants. Complications in measuring below ground traits arise from the lack of non-destructive methods of observation in addition to the high risk of damage to fine roots through the process of harvesting itself. Here we discuss allometric trait relationships that reveal scaling between fine root and above ground traits using parametric methods of analysis. The study used twenty oak species adapted to a wide variety of native environmental conditions, grown in common garden. Given robust previous studies including a high-resolution family tree, we are able to use phylogenetic independent contrasts implemented to account for phylogenetic inertia present in the different observed species of oak. Analyses allow us to uncover if fine root traits vary with native environmental conditions or are conserved across species.
Recommended Citation
Conner, Grant. "Linking Above and Below Ground Allometric Growth Patterns in Oak Species." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 10, 2018.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2018/poster-session-A/41
