Winter Ecology Activities & Readings
Ribbon Forests, Niwot Mountain [G. Kittel]
 
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WINTER VEGETATION ECOLOGY LAB


WINTER VEGETATION ECOLOGY FIELD DAY


"Field day - prep" -updated 2/1/19Vegetation field work

Our field site for Winter Vegetation Ecology is near timberline  - As we have a distance to go, we'll have an early start from the Lodge.  Please be ready by 8.30am for the field with cold weather layers, lunch & snacks, and, for those with skis, skis skinned up.  See what specific gear to bring.

Saturday forecast as of Friday 2/1/19 5pm for 11,000':

  • Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. Windy, with a west wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph (see graph panel below left and corresponding map).
  • Check Niwot treeline (11,000') for latest NWS point forecast

And see CAIC - Colorado 11,000' forecast.  For the weekend, as of Friday 12noon:

  • Upper level flow will turn southwesterly tonight [Friday] ahead of a low pressure trough (see archived map* 2nd row, left: 11am MST, 2 Feb 500mb heights).  Clouds will move in on Saturday. Temperatures remain fairly warm, and winds will be increasing from the southwest.
  • Snow showers should start in the evening [Saturday], and begin in earnest after midnight. It looks like this initial wave (see archived map* last row, left: for 5pm MST, 3 Feb 500mb heights) will bring a decent, if fast moving, shot of snow [for Sunday] (see archived map* last row, right: for 5pm MST, 3 Feb precipitation). Light snowfall and unsettled weather continues until a second, and possibly stronger, storm arrives Monday-Tuesday.
*FYI: for 2019: Archived Surface (NWS, CAIC, & NCAR) and Upper Air (NCAR) forecasts for Ribbon Forest and Winter Ornithology field days
Niwot treeline (11,000') Point Forecast


Forecast Map for 11am MST
 Surface (NWS, CAIC, & NCAR) and Upper Air (NCAR) forecasts
 







8:15a - Early Start - Weather Briefing - Current Weather & Forecasts (MRS) and for Niwot treeline (11,000') - CAIC 11,000' statewide forecast

Readings
  • LC Chapter 3
  • Interested in a re-phrasing? WEH provides a review of some of this material: Chap 3, p. 163-176
    • especially re Hardening: p. 165-167
  • re: Five Functional Factors Controlling the Distribution of Vegetation (optional):
    • Major, Jack. 1951. A Functional, Factorial Approach to Plant EcologyEcology 32: 392-412 (pdf, 600k)


Krummholz vegetation, Niwot Ridge
Lesson points
  • What are the major tree species of the Front Range's upper montane (9,000-11,500')?
    • And what are their distinguishing features (to id.)?
    • How are they winter-adapted? -- Answers here are linked to the next questions...
  • What are key physiological and morphological adaptations of plants in seasonally cold climates?
    • Physiologically, how do plants acclimate to and withstand cold winters?
    • Morphologically, how are plants in the upper montane adapted to winter?  Along these lines:
      • What generalized plant life forms (morphological types, such as Raunkiaer's life forms) are found in seasonally cold climates? 
      • And how are each of these forms adapted to winter?
      • What are border pits in conifers?
  • For any location on the landscape, are there single or multiple plant solutions to winter conditions?  Give an example.
  • What are the Five Functional Factors Controlling the Distribution of Vegetation/Ecosystems on the Landscape?
  • See also Vegetation Field Lesson points below.

Timberline Forests, Niwot Mountain 
(photo: G. Kittel)


Engelmann Spruce, Spruce-Fir Forest, 
Niwot Ridge Research Area (photo: G. Kittel)
Handouts
  • Elevation & Landscape Distribution of Montane & Alpine Vegetation, & Raunkaier Plant Lifeforms (pdf, 600k)

Other References
  • Mountain Ecosystems: Studies in Treeline Ecology, by G. Broll & B. Keplin (eds. 2005, Springer, NY) [sci library: QH541.5 .M65 M722 2005]
  • Huner et al. 1993. Photosynthesis, photoinhibition and low temperature acclimation in cold tolerant plants. Photosynthesis Research 37: 19-39 (pdf, 2M)

9:00a-3:30pField: Vegetation structure of the upper montane/subalpine forests to timberline (weather permitting). Guest field instructor: Devan Pensinger, CU Mountain Research Station Climate Program. 
FIELD -
Bring
  • Good flotation (snowshoes, skis with skins)
  • Layers - be prepared for standing around in the cold/wind once at our field site
  • Field journal
  • Compass & Clinometer (for measuring slope)
  • Pack lunch, lots of water/fluids
  • Toe/Hand Warmer Packs - if you're prone to cold toes/hands
    • Available at REI, etc.
  • If you have: 
    • Snow shovel
    • Avi probe
    • Hand lens
    • Topo map for Indian Peaks
Forecast:  Niwot treeline (11,000'), CAIC 11,000' statewide forecast (last section of page)


Ribbon Forests (photo from Hope Humphries and Patrick Bourgeron)
Field Locations / Handouts
  • Handouts:
    • Photographic Guide to Conifers & ID Key (pdf, 3M)
  • Data Entry / Analysis - Instructions:  Done separately for each Transect.
      1. Enter data from your field datasheets into separate Data Entry Worksheets for: Team A, Team B (xls, 30k).  
        • Team B: Enter your data from the bottom up, so that the row label and your meter plots match (e.g. 50m data are entered in the row for '50m')
        • Enter slope data in %.  If your slope data are in degrees, use this spreadsheet to convert degrees to % - xls
        • For the Summary worksheet to work, do not change the names of the A & B Data Entry files
      1. Put A & B Data Entry xls's into the same folder as the "Combined Summary" Analysis Spreadsheet: xls, 200k.  Name the folder according to the name of your transect or group.
        • Open the "Combined Summary" Spreadsheet, click 'Update'
        • Check that your data have been imported correctly - review the values plotted in the 'Transect Profile' tab.
      1. Discuss graphs and interpret.
ribbon forest google
Click to enlarge
Lesson points
  • How do landscape features (abiotic and biotic) alter snowpack in ways that affect the distribution of vegetation just below timberline?
  • What are the abiotic and biotic controls over the structure of vegetation in Subalpine Forests?  In what seasons are each most important?
  • See also Vegetation Lesson points above
Related links
Other Resources
More on Vegetation Zones
  • From Grassland to Glacier:  The Natural History of Colorado and the Surrounding Region, by C.F. Mutel & J.C. Emerick (1992, Johnson Books, Boulder CO)
  • Rocky Mountain National Park Natural History Handbook,  By John C. Emerick (1995, Roberts Rinehart Publ. and Rocky Mountain Nature Assoc.)
  • A Sierra Club Naturalist’s Guide to The Southern Rockies,  By Audrey Benedict (1991, Sierra Club Books)
More for Plant Id
  • Rocky Mountain Flora, by Wm. Weber (1976, Colorado Associated Univ Press) -- the Marr Lab library has many copies.
  • Winter Guide to Central Rocky Mountain Shrubs, by Wm. McKean (ed.) (1976, 2nd ed., Colorado Div of Wildlife, Dept of Natural Resources).
3:30a-5:30pLab: Vegetation structure of the upper montane/subalpine forests to timberline -
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rev.  17 Fb 23