# RPID

TITLE:
Investigation of forest stand structural and compositional attributes in late-successional Pacific Northwest coniferous forests

ABSTRACT:
The primary objective of this project is to delineate growth stages, and in particular the old growth stage, in a Douglas Fir-Western Hemlock Series forest stand, using Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data.  The study area is within the Wind River District o


TITLE:
Neotropical migratory bird ecology in old-growth conifers

ABSTRACT:
The Wind River Canopy Crane Research Facility will provide a superb opportunity for avian ecology research in a little-known "inner space."  I will explore the feasibility of mist-netting birds from the crane.  My research goals are to use banding and col


ABSTRACT:
Three of four met stations are attached to the canopy crane tower at approximately 70, 40 and 20 meters in height with a ground/surface station  located on the forest floor approximately 10 meters East of the base of the canopy crane. Database tables are


ABSTRACT:
An inventory of liverworts has been made of the Thornton T. Munger Research Natural Area (TTM RNA), Wind River Ranger District, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Skamania County, Washington.  Thirty one species were found within the boundaries of the RNA.


ABSTRACT:
A survey of the Macrolichens (foliose, fruticose, and larger squamulose forms) of the T.T. Munger RNA and canopy crane plot was conducted in order to provide baseline information for researchers and interested individuals on the presence and subjective ab


ABSTRACT:
As requested, a special effort was made to cover as much of the T.T. Munger Research Area as Possible.  Several surveys were made along Trail #199 from Road 43 to the canopy crane plot and back through the forest on the south side of the trail, to the roa


ABSTRACT:
A total of 52 moss species were found within the Thornton T. Munger Research Natural Area (TTM RNA).  This list reflects collections from the tree major vegetation zones described by Kemp & Schuler in 1982.  Within the Canopy Crane Study Area a more detai


TITLE:
Comparison of genetic diversity among Douglas-fir of differing age groups.

ABSTRACT:
I propose to collect 25 foliage samples from Douglas-fir of two different age groups, trees over 500 years-old, and trees approximately 50 years-old.  A comparison of genetic variation (estimated from allozyme markers) among the two groups will be made to


ABSTRACT:
Many investigators at WRCCRF will wish to refer to, or use in their calculations, some basic information about the forest.  Some likely information of this type is tree species frequency distribution, basic tree size, tree locations, are already available


TITLE:
The spatial distribution of trees in an old growth Douglas fir/western hemlock forest

ABSTRACT:
A canopy crane research facility was constructed in a low elevation old growth forest at the Wind River Research natural Area in Southern Washington state.  The crane allows researchers to study previously inaccessible areas of the forest canopy.  There a


TITLE:
Measurement of photosynthetic yield in needles and lichen epiphytes at various canopy heights within an old-growth Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest

ABSTRACT:
The Wind River Canopy Crane offers a unique opportunity to measure the physiological condition of epiphytes and needles of the upper canopy.  It seems reasonable to hypothesize that the higher light levels in the upper canopy would make this forest layer


TITLE:
Vertical stratification of habitat use by bats in an old-growth forest

ABSTRACT:
I propose to investigate vertical stratification of bat activity in old-growth forest habitat at the Wind River Canopy Crane site.  I will monitor bat activity over the course of a 3-week period in July using Anabat II bat detector systems.  Detectors wil


TITLE:
Examine long distance water transport and its regulation in large woody plants

ABSTRACT:
Research in two areas has recently appeared and challenged the way we think about water in plants and, in particular, large plants.  This research has focused on two important issues:  water movement and water stores.  If the conclusions from this researc


TITLE:
Assessment of the spatial and temporal variability of photosynthetic C13 fractionation in a northwestern coniferous forest

ABSTRACT:
We propose a series of measurements to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of the photosynthetic C13 fractionation in an old-growth coniferous forest.  We will sample air from nighttime vertical profiles at the Wind River Canopy Crane site a


TITLE:
Epiphytes on dead wood in a Douglas-fir forest

ABSTRACT:
Most studies of canopy epiphytes either ignore epiphytes on dead wood or indiscriminately include them within stand-level summary statistics.  Yet even casual inspection reveals that epiphytic communities on dead wood are often quite different from their


TITLE:
Vertical profiles of epiphytes dependent on canopy density

ABSTRACT:
The dominance of functional groups of epiphytes normally changes vertically in the following series from top to bottom:  green algal foliose lichens, alectorioid lichens, cyanolichens, and bryophytes (McCune 1993).  The heights at which these transitions


TITLE:
Developing a measure of stand-level canopy structure

ABSTRACT:
In forests, the canopy is a focal site for many important ecosystem processes such as photosynthesis and evapotranspiration, and provides essential habitat for a highly diverse array of plant and animal species.  despite it’s importance, the stand-level s


TITLE:
Outer canopy topography of an old-growth Douglas-fir stand

ABSTRACT:
I propose to measure the shape of the outer canopy of an old-growth Douglas-fir forest in order to: 1) compare its structure with that of another forest measured similarly, 2) provide a baseline observation for subsequent assessments of canopy dynamics, 3


TITLE:
Visible and ultraviolet radiation in the canopy of an old-growth Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest

ABSTRACT:
The objectives of this study were to:  1) test the suitability of the crane system for obtaining light measurements within the canopy of a tall old-growth conifer forest, 2) make measurements of the spatial variation in radiation environments, and 3) expl


TITLE:
Vertical stratification of canopy arthropods in four conifer species

ABSTRACT:
I propose to sample canopies of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, western redcedar and grand fir at upper, mid and lower canopy levels to evaluate differences in arthropod population size and community structure at these different levels.  Small foliage and b


TITLE:
Distribution of larval colonies of the silver spotted tiger moth in an old-growth Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest canopy

ABSTRACT:
The distribution of larval colonies of the silver spotted tiger moth (Lophocampa argentata Packard) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) was documented in the upper canopy of a 2.3 ha patch of  Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest using the Wind River Canopy Crane Rese


ABSTRACT:
Abundance and distribution of vascular plant species were quantified for each of the 64-25x25 meter sub plots within the crane plot.  Data for each grid plot includes species name and percent cover.  This is a baseline survey and an initial attempt to loo


TITLE:
Elongation of branch tips and loss of new foliage within the lower, mid and upper canopies of an old-growth forest

ABSTRACT:
The objectives are to assess the health of an old-growth forest by quantifying the distribution of foliage loss to herbivory, disease and other causes along the vertical profile, in lower, mid and upper canopy zones.  A tower crane was used to access the


TITLE:
Sex ratio of western hemlock dwarf mistletoe in old-growth stand

ABSTRACT:
The WRCCRF provides unique opportunity to determine the sex of dwarf mistletoe plants.  We plan to determine the sex of at least 1,000 plants and compare the abundance of males vs. females.  This will provide insight into the population dynamics of this i


TITLE:
Vertical occurrence of songbirds in an old-growth Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest

ABSTRACT:
Songbird abundance and diversity within old-growth Douglas-fir/western hemlock forests has been well documented.   However, the Wind River Canopy Crane Research Facility has made it possible to test the hypothesis that vertical partitioning of songbirds w


TITLE:
Scaling up from leaf to stands:  coupling ecophysiological models with remote sensing

ABSTRACT:
We will atmospherically correct Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data and produce maps of atmospheric water vapor density and liquid water concentration of the surface, and use spectral mixture analysis to determine the spatial vari


TITLE:
Modeling releasors for bark beetle control

ABSTRACT:
The project goal is to model the effect of stand turbulence on dispersion of bark beetle antiaggregate releasors.  Success will help determine the distribution pattern of the antiaggregate to disseminate destructive populations of bark beetles.  I propose


TITLE:
Atmospheric turbulence controlling insect semiochemical dispersion

ABSTRACT:
We propose a comprehensive study of the effect canopy structure has on 3 dimensional turbulence in the bole space of the stand.  The primary driver for this study is to understand the role turbulence plays in dispersing insect semiochemcials, or pheromone


TITLE:
Responses of leaf photosynthetic and optical characteristics of western tree species to rising CO2 and temperature:  scaling from saplings to mature trees

ABSTRACT:
Our proposal will address the fundamental issue of scaling experimental responses of tree saplings to predict responses of large, adult trees to rising CO2 and temperature.  We propose to compare leaf-level physiological and optical characteristics of sap


TITLE:
Field test of the six class dwarf mistletoe rating system for western hemlock in an old-growth Douglas-fir/western hemlock forest

ABSTRACT:
The six-class dwarf mistletoe rating system (DMR) developed by Frank Hawksworth is widely used in western North America to determine the abundance and severity of dwarf mistletoe in coniferous forests.  The system is simple and easy to use, which is espec


TITLE:
Medium-scale characteristics of forest canopies and their relationships to ecological processes in temperate forest ecosystems.

ABSTRACT:
We propose to study the three dimensional structure of forest canopies vegetation, growth rates and microclimate relationship by (1) increasing the existing crane plot to 400m x 200m, (2) taking tree cores for growth rates, and (3) installing microclimate


ABSTRACT:
A platform is being installed in a 58 meter tall Douglas-fir.  The platform will enable tree physiologists to do work on the difficult to access "inner crown" and upper bole of the tree.  Design construction and installation is by Whole Tree Works, Kevin


TITLE:
Seasonal variation in photosynthetic processes of old-growth douglas-fir and western hemlock

ABSTRACT:
The oxidation of forest emissions such as isoprene, terpenes, and other hydrocarbons produces carbon monoxide (CO) and can lead to elevated CO concentrations in forested areas.  In phase I of our studies, we propose to measure the diurnal variation in the


TITLE:
Forests as a source of atmospheric carbon monoxide--Steve Gerst

ABSTRACT:
Photosynthetic processes are generally studied using seedlings or juvenile trees but little is known about how these processes change as trees age.  We propose to examine seasonal changes in photosynthetic processes of Douglas-fir and western hemlock with


INSTITUTION:
California State University, Los Angeles

TITLE:
Assessment of Photosynthetic Pigments, Light History, and Photosynthetic
Capacity with Leaf Spectral Reflectance Measurements

ABSTRACT:
This work will test the hypotheses that 1)xanthophyll cycle pigment
content (as assayed by reflectance kinetics) scales with light history and
vertical canopy position, and 2) for a given canopy light environment,
xanthophyll cycle pigment content is inversely correlated with
photosynthetic capacity (maximum midday photosynthetic rate).  To
characterize light history, pigment content, and photosynthetic capacity
from the canopy crane, this study will utilize a new "leaf reflectometer"
capable of rapid, non-destructive measurements of conifer needle
reflectance.


TITLE:
Belowground Carbon Pools and Processes at the Wind River Canopy Crane Site

ABSTRACT:
I propose to begin a coordinated study (with other investigators) on the
contribution of the soil to the sequestering and release of carbon at the
Wind River Canopy Crane Site.  Initially the research will concentrate on
the CO2 efflux of the soils using a combination of soil and forest floor
pool and gas measurements within different sites at the WRCC.  Soil efflux
is invariably more sensitive to treatments than is change in pool size
(e.g., Johnson et al. 1994), but the logistics of measuring soil CO2
efflux frequently enough to construct realistic C budgets and the problem
of separating root from microbial sources of CO2 constitute serious
limitations to this approach.  Thus, I will be using a combination of two
approaches, measuring fluxes on a non-continuous basis as an index of soil
C change, and measuring soil C, N, and nutrient pools using the buried bag
approach (David et al.  1992).  I believe that the following research plan
will address the hypothesis that the below ground compartment is
responsible for the majority of the ecosystem CO2 efflux in this
Pseudotsuga menziesii-Tsuga heterophylla-Abies dominated coniferous
forest. The objective of this research is to quantify the role of forest
soils and forest floor material in the seasonal and annual flux of CO2 at
the WRCC and to begin to quantify the functional role of C storage in
soils.


TITLE:
The Role of Volatile Organic Emissions in Terrestrial Carbon Exchange

ABSTRACT:
We propose to measure the biosphere-atmosphere exchange
of organic trace gases over two forest ecosystems.  The measurements will
be made at the Wind River Canopy Crane  study area in southwestern
Washington and at a commercial poplar plantation in eastern Oregon. 
At the crane site, diurnal and vertical profiles of BHC emissions will be
obtained from leaf and branch level measurements conducted on a monthly
basis.  This work will provide new data on the role of BHC emissions for
an old growth conifer forest in terms of improved emission factors for 
these conifer species, an unprecedented description of the biological
controls on emissions from tall canopies, and insight into seasonal
changes in emissions from conifers.  At the poplar plantation, 
BHC emissions will be obtained from leaf, branch, and canopy scale
measurements which--given the extreme uniformity of the biomass-- will
provide a unique test of multiple scale emission measurement methods and
the associated scale-up of emission models.  The poplar studies will also 
yield improved emission factors, new data regarding seasonal effects on
emissions, and an opportunity to examine genetic emission traits.


TITLE:
Does hydraulic conductance limit productivity of old growth Douglas-fir?

ABSTRACT:
In a recent publication, we suggested that reduced 
hydraulic conductance in old trees may account for a significant part 
of the universal decline in productivity of old forests and old trees.  
We have shown previously that hydraulic conductance limits 
photosynthesis in ponderosa pine trees at or near their maximum 
height growth.  We propose to conduct a suite of diagnostic tests to 
determine whether hydraulic limitation also occurs in three other, 
widely varying ecosystems:  moist temperate conifers (Douglas-fir at 
the WRCC), dry angiosperm (Willamette Valley oak), and moist 
tropical angiosperm (using the new crane at the wet tropical site in 
Panama).  At the WRCC we will conduct these tests using six large 
Douglas-fir trees with crane access and six young but mature trees at 
a nearby location.  We will construct scaffolding to access tops of 
the younger trees.  The measurements include:  continuous sapflow 
over four months, vapor pressure response of stomatal conductance 
and photosynthesis, pre-dawn and mid-day water potential 
measurements to calculate whole tree hydraulic conductance, carbon 
isotope measurements of foliage at canopy tops, and (if possible) leaf 
gas exchange following 50% leaf area removal treatment on 1m 
branches of old trees.


TITLE:
Role of Soils in the Global Carbon Cycle

ABSTRACT:
The objective of the proposed research is to test the hypothesis that
carbon loss from the atmosphere follows two paths:  1)  Path 1 - leaching
of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC)
from the surface soil through the vadose zone to the groundwater and
thence via groundwater flow to streams and finally to the oceans, and 2)
Path 2 -  biogeochemical processes which result in the mineral weathering
of silicate minerals with subsequent precipitation of secondary soil
minerals such as calcium carbonate.  These two processes occur in concert
with plant growth which directs C from the atmosphere to the below ground
environment.  We suggest that the first mechanism is the main mechanism
for long-term C removal.  To test the hypothesis the following methods
will be employed 1) measurement of the rates of carbon transport from the
vadose zone to groundwater at several locations of the Tualatin Valley,
Oregon; 2) measurement of carbon concentrations in the streams draining
the area where sampling stations are located; 3) use of a hydrologic
routing model to evaluate and describe hydrologic behavior of the
watershed and determine total mass of carbon which should be discharged
from the watershed using measurements obtained under 1 and 2; and 4) use
of the hydrologic routing model developed under 3 to evaluate other
watersheds and estimate potential carbon loss for a range of conditions
and compare results with field measurements.  It may be possible to use
existing WESTGEC field sites.


TITLE:
Preliminary Studies on the Carbon Flux Associated with 
Woody Detritus in  Forests Surrounding the Wind River 
Canopy Crane Site

ABSTRACT:
We will initiate a project to examine the role of woody detritus in the  carbon balance of an old-growth 
forest.  We will quantify the volume, mass, and carbon 
stores of woody debris at the Wind River Canopy Crane 
site and initiate the measurement of seasonal and long-
term carbon fluxes from this pool.


TITLE:
Antioxidant Defenses in Pacific Northwest Conifers

ABSTRACT:
Antioxidant defenses in conifers are a major means by which they deal with environmental stresses such as chilling, strong light, and drought.  This study will examine foliage of Douglas-fir and Grand fir at various heights in the old growth canopy to determine how antioxidants vary with respect to season and position in the canopy.  Activities of antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase) and metabolites (ascorbate and glutathione) will be measured in foliage extracts.  Possible correlations between antioxidant status and moisture stress (xylem pressure potential) will also be examined.  These studies should provide insight into how PNW conifers deal with environmental stress.


TITLE:
An investigation of relationships between canopy structural elements and
rainfall interception in an old-growth forest, Wind River, Washington

ABSTRACT:
We will examine two lines of inquiry at the Wind River Canopy Crane Research Facility: a) the relationships between forest canopy structure
and forest canopy function, specifically canopy hydrology; and b)
enhancement of database tools for forest canopy research. Our research
team is a balanced group of database/computer scientists and forest
ecologists focused on canopy processes. Canopy hydrology research will
serve both to test hypotheses on forest structure/function relationships
and to provide a case study for database research. We will quantify the
relationship between the amount and vertical distribution of structural
elements within a given "cylinder transect" of tree canopy and the volume
of throughfall that is deposited directly beneath it, focusing on two size
classes of western hemlock trees.  Because the quantity (and possibly the
quality and distribution) of structural elements will differ in large vs. 
small trees, we predict that the amount of water intercepted, retained,
modified, and/or conducted by the tree crowns will also differ. Results
will lead to future work in the laboratory to isolate the effects of
particular structural elements on rainfall interception. We will enter and
manipulate our data in programs that encompass a wide range of
sophistication, ease of use, and flexibility and monitor the amount of
time and effort each database system requires. In conjunction with the
Data Manager at WRCCRF, we will consider ways to best forge interfaces
among our data sets, the "foundation data" of the crane site (i.e., stem
map and meteorological data), and the data of past and future researchers
at the crane site whose work relates to this research.


TITLE:
Linking Population and Community Dynamics with Ecosystem Structure

ABSTRACT:
This study will address the impacts of population and community dynamics on ecosystem structure.  We will develop and test two spatially explicit models - metapopulation dynamic model and a forest simulator.  This is important as species composition of the site is expected to change over time.  This will lead to changes in ecosystem function and structure.


TITLE:
Crown Structure and Spatial Distribution of Epiphytes on Western Hemlock in an Old-Growth Coniferous Forest

ABSTRACT:
The majority of epiphyte studies have focused on old-growth Douglas-firs, trees in managed stands and hardwood species.  Little research has focused on young, understory trees within old-growth forests.   A chronosequence of western hemlocks is proposed to examine epiphyte succession and crown development in an old-growth forest, and to provide information on the stratification of epiphytes within the canopy.  Traditionally, studies of epiphyte succession have relied on chronoseqeunces using different aged stands, whereas this study would use different aged trees within a single stand to serve as a chronosequence.   Detailed measures of branches and foliage will be used create crown structure models for each height class.  The distribution and relative abundance of epiphytes within each height class, and within individual tree crowns, will be described.  Correlation between epiphyte abundance and structural and environmental variables, will be analyzed with multivariate techniques.  This project has implications for natural resource managers, as little is know about epiphyte succession and the structural and environmental factors that influence this process.


TITLE:
Persistence and Change of Ecological Structure in Old-Growth Forests-Hiroaki Ishii

ABSTRACT:
Old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest are notable for
long-lived trees and a stable environment between infrequent major
disturbances. They show two types of ecological persistence that may
contribute to their biodiversity: 1) shade-tolerant tree species that
regenerate continuously and 2) long-lived pioneers, e.g. Pseudotsuga
menziesii which can live for up to 1,200 years yet rarely regenerate
between major disturbances. The research will investigate the population
and canopy processes within old-growth forest stands. Analyses of the stem
map have found a complex spatial patterning of individual trees indicating
that spatial analysis of gap formation and its role in regeneration of
shade-tolerant species must be made (a) in relation to other spatial
processes in the stand, and (b) in relation to detailed information about
tree crowns. Preliminary analyses of canopy growth have found evidence of
different types of crown maintenance mechanisms among species which may
influence individual tree persistence.


TITLE:
Phenology of an Old-Growth Douglas-Fir/Western Hemlock Forest

ABSTRACT:
It is proposed that the phenology of the arboreal and understory
vegetation under the Wind River Canopy Crane be monitored for two years.
Observations would be made weekly during the growing season, but probably
at a lower frequency thereafter.  Foliar and reproductive behavior at
various canopy levels would be studied from the gondola. Cambial activity
would be monitored at breast height with band or dial-gauge dendrometers.
Understory vegetation would be studied from the ground to conserve crane
time.


# TreeSample

COMMENTS:
have floyd look at datasheet-last few br.


