| Quantifying Vertical Gradients of Water Stress and Leaf Characteristics in Ancient Redwoods |
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| Investigators |
| Dr. Stephen Sillett, Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University
Gregory Jennings (M.Sc. candidate), Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University
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What is the Issue? |
| CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ANCIENT REDWOODS
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Publicly owned stands of old-growth redwood forests in state and national parks are currently suffering severe crown dieback among trees adjacent to clearcut edges and highway corridors. The cause of this dieback is unknown. One possible cause may be water stress due to the altered microclimate along clearcut edges. Old growth forests adjacent to clear-cut edges experience reduced fog drip, and therefore encounter reduced moisture input. This study aims to better understand canopy water relations in redwoods in order to address the conservation issue of crown dieback.
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What is our goal? |
| TO UNDERSTAND WATER RELATIONS AND THE CAUSES OF DIEBACK OF ANCIENT REDWOODS.
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Where we currently stand. |
| Fifteen ancient redwoods from three old-growth redwood forests have been selected for foliage sampling. The fifteen redwoods will be visited three times. The first foliage sample was collected in the early fall. Two more collections are planned: the second sampling will occur in the middle of winter and the third sampling in the spring. Processing of foliage samples for isotope analysis is being carried out concurrently with the fieldwork. Examination of leaf characteristics is also occurring during this time. The project is scheduled for completion by December 2001.
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