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Populus

(Western US)

Role of elevation and latitude in plant and soil functional traits and feedbacks

Project Description

Humans are directly and indirectly affecting the environment at a large and potentially irreversible scale. While climate strongly impacts where species occur, climate change is restructuring the distribution of a wide variety of species across the globe. In particular, evidence suggests plants may shift their boundaries polewards and towards higher elevations.populus_greenhouse In 2012, we collected a range of plant and arthropod community data, plant cuttings and soils (from beneath individual genotypes and adjacent interspaces) from genotypes of Populus angustifolia along elevational gradients associated with 17 watersheds from Arizona to northern Montana. Over the next few years, common gardens from these cuttings will be planted in multiple locations and a series of field and greenhouse experiments will address hypotheses regarding the role of latitude and elevation on plant functional traits and their community and ecosystem consequences. Stay tuned for results, data and updates on projects!

See new documentary on Populus genes to ecosystem work, hopefully showing on a PBS station near you: http://athousandinvisiblecords.org/

What We Do

The Schweitzer lab works at the most interesting place in ecology and evolution – the interface between above- and belowground processes in terrestrial ecosystems. We aim to be at the forefront of research in biodiversity studies emphasizing quantitative, experimental, and multidisciplinary approaches to fundamental ecological and evolutionary questions.

Our Current Research

  • What We Do
  • Eucalyptus
  • Populus
  • Solidago
  • Ohia, Metrosideros polymorpha

Jen Schweitzer Lab | Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology | University of Tennessee, Knoxville