| Gradients of Arthropod Diversity and Moisture Content in Crown Humus of Ancient Redwoods |
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| Investigators |
| Dr. Stephen Sillett, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University
Dr. Michael Camann, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University
Karen Lamoncha, M.Sc., Research Associate, Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University
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What is the Issue? |
| UNDERSTANDING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CROWN HUMUS IN REDWOOD FORESTS |
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Crown humus, which forms extensive mats on ancient redwood trees, supports a variety of terrestrial biota including vascular plants, mycorrhizal fungi, earthworms, mollusks, arthropods and salamanders. This study aims to quantify gradients of micro-arthropod assemblages in redwood crown humus and analyze vertical moisture availability in deep humus accumulations. An inventory of micro-arthropods in redwood crown humus will also be conducted. Ten ancient redwoods with large humus mats have been selected in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in California. One large mat in each tree will be studied.
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What is our goal? |
| TO UNDERSTAND INSECT AND PLANT LIFE IN THE REDWOOD CANOPIES.
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Where we currently stand. |
| Humus mats will be sampled with a 5-cm-diameter, 1-m-deep corer. Humus sampling will occur over 3 periods: September-October, 2000, January, 2001 and March, 2001. In the laboratory, sub-samples will be weighed immediately, and micro-arthropods will be extracted, counted and identified. After extraction, humus sub-samples will be oven dried and weighed again. The ratio of initial mass to oven-dry mass will be used to estimate moisture content. Laboratory analyses will be completed by December 31, 2001.
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