Altitude's Impact on CO2 Flux in Winter Climate Region of Niwot Ridge: Winter Ecology Study

1. What is the relationship between CO2 flux and Altitude in the Winter Climate Region of Niwot Ridge? Winter Ecology, MRS 2013 Project by Rob McFadzean

2. Introduction: • Is there a change in microbial CO2 Flux rates for soils at different altitudes to complement the Net Production of CO2 within similar LodgePole Pine Environments?

3. Constituents of Microbial flux differences • Organic layer thickness, organic layer ammonium concentration, organic layer water content, soluble concentration, and microbial and root biomass [Russ Monson, Scott-Denton, Sparks’, 2002] • Have the Microbial organisms adapted to the Altitude to produce more or similar amounts of CO2? Lets take a look after doing a little gathering of data.

4. Methods: • Each pit in each of the 9 locations will be measured to have a Snow Pack Depth of 40-50 cm. I took a measurement recording every 4-5 seconds with the CO2 Flux Analyzer. • I then took soil temperature measurements in each location at 2cm deep. • Each location had a Soil Sample tested through by rubbing the soil together for moisture content and giving it a rating, Moist, Semi Moist and dry. • The Soil richness was also noted being ranked from light brown to dark brown. • I also took into account the amount of Fungi and decomposing matter present, as well as the leaves and pine needles. • Each located within Lodge Pole Pine growth, mostly shaded and on similar grades.

5. Looking at the Data • 2895m Pits • Soil Temp -4 C and Semi Moist, Strong cover of Pine Needles, 40 cm snow, Semi Dark brown • Soil Temp -1 C and Semi Moist, Strong cover of Pine Needles, 40 cm snow, Semi Dark brown • Soil Temp 0 C and Semi Moist, Strong cover of Pine Needles, 45 cm snow, Semi Dark brown • 3078m Pits • Soil Temp -4 C and Semi Moist, Some cover of Pine Needles, 46 cm snow, Light brown • Soil Temp -2 C and Semi Moist, Some cover of Pine Needles, 47 cm snow, light brown • Soil Temp -3 C and Semi Moist, strong cover of Pine Needles, 47 cm snow, light brown • 3231m Pits • Soil Temp -5 C and dry, low debris cover of Pine Needles, 50 cm snow, light brown • Soil Temp -4 C and semi moist, clay feel, lots of debris, 49 cm snow, light brown • Soil Temp -4 C and dry, some cover of Pine Needles, 45 cm snow, light brown

6. Results and Statistical Analysis of Data

7. Comparative Analysis 2895m Mean R^2 @ 2895M = 0.9960 Mean CO2 Flux across All 3 Samples = 1.702566667 Standard Error Averaged for all 3 =0.260487709 P-Value = 1.129E -16 P-Value = 2.56E -9 P-Value = 4.94E -16

8. Comparative Analysis 3078m Mean R^2 @ 3078m = 0.9334 Mean CO2 Flux across all 3 =0.684366667 Standard Error Averaged for all 3 =0.951912403 P-Value =1.66E -14 P-Value = 5.52E-11 P-Value =5.00E-15

9. Comparative Analysis @ 3231m P-Value = 2.56E -9 Mean R^2 @ 3231m = 0.9237 Mean CO2 Flux across all 3 =0.090166667 Standard Error Averaged for all 3 = 0.540573092 P-Value =4.94E -16 P-Value = 1.129E -16

10. Discussion: Altitude appears to have an affect on CO2 Production Std Error = 0.260487709 Std Error = 0.504365618 Std Error = 0.540573092 P-Value Anova across groups 0.009531542

11. P-Value Anova across groups 0.009531542 Graph Showing Error Bars which indicate Strong predictability P-Value across the groups leads to saying the Null Hypothesis can be rejected and CO2 flux is significantly variable across the group at higher altitudes.

12. Conclusions As we go higher there is less respiration occurring in the data. There are many Influencing factors. There is a strong correlation between respiration and altitude in this data. 2 3 1 2 Middle 3 Lowest CO2 Flux Rate 1 Highest CO2 Flux Rate

13. Thank you all! Special thanks to Derek for always being willing to help!

14. QUESTIONS

15. References Spatial and temporal controls of soil respiration rate in a high elevation, subalpine forest, Laura E. Scott-Denton, Kimberlee L. Sparks, Russell K. Monson Department of Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Campus Box 334, Boulder, CO 80309, USA Received 25 April 2002; received in revised form 14 October 2002; accepted 4 November 2002 Seasonal Dynamics of PreviouslyUnknown Fungal Lineages in Tundra Soils, Christopher W. Schadt, Andrew P. Martin, David A. Lipson, Steven K. Schmidt www.sciencemag.org SCIENCE VOL 301 5 SEPTEMBER 2003 Decomposition rates of buried substrates increase with altitude in the forest-alpine tundra ecotone, Cynthia L. Withington, Robert L. Sanford Jr. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, 2190 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO 80208,USA Received 9 November 2004; received in revised form 12 June 2006; accepted 20 June 2006 Evidence that chytrids dominate fungal communities in high-elevation soils K. R. Freeman, A. P. Martin, D. Karki, R. C. Lynch, M. S. Mitter, A. F. Meyer, J. E. Longcore, D. R. Simmons and S. K. Schmidt Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, N122 Ramaley Hall, Campus Box 334, Boulder, CO 80309-0334