Project Overview
The Climate Interactions with Forest Fragmentation (CLIFF) is a collaborative research effort between researchers at the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, Harvard Forest, Dartmouth College, and beyond. Broadly, the experiment compares forest conditions and tree growth across a forest edge and under low and high precipitation conditions. The wooden framing in the pictures below is covered annually with plastic sheeting to create dry conditions during the late spring and early summer. The lab has been working with researchers at Harvard Forest to collect data on tree stem methane emissions, belowground communities, and fine root structure.
Belowground Impacts of Climate and Forest Fragmentation
The Tumber-Dávila Lab is investigating how the belowground soil, roots, microbial activity, and nutrient cycling change across forest edges, precipitation levels, and depths. The lab can use root morphology to identify and classify root species. Using an archival scanner and analysis software, we can measure root traits such as specific root length and root tissue density. Other methods such as Phospholipid Fatty Acid Analysis are helping us analyze microbial activity.
Tree Stem Methane Emissions at CLIFF
The lab is investigating whether drought or edge conditions could impact methane emissions at the CLIFF site. Because water-logged and low-oxygen conditions are often associated with microbial production of methane, we expect to find the lowest tree-stem methane emissions in the low-precipitation treatment close to the forest edge. These PVC collars help us measure gas exchange in a standardized area. In some cases, trees can even take in methane!
Key Predictions
