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Role of Fire in Nutrient
Cycling in Brazil and
the Pine Barrens
Hedin Laboratory
Princeton University
Summer 2013
Amy Tourgee
Symposium of Learning
October 4, 2013
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Hedin Laboratory

Organization of Hedin Lab

Location: EEB Department, Princeton University

Research Interests: nutrient cycling

Summer Internship Work:

Meta-analysis

Experiment/Fieldwork
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Project Origins


Nutrient cycling

Nutrient-vegetation feedbacks shape
landscape

Role of fire in these feedbacks

Questions about linking above and
belowground cycling and soil
fertility
Site Applications

Brazil: savanna vs. forest

Pine Barrens: pygmy pines vs. forest
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Project 1: Meta-Analysis

Goal: study the differences in community
composition of nitrogen-fixing species
and individuals between savanna and
forest in Brazil

Methods

Meta-analysis: combining data from many
different studies

Advantages: precision and accuracy for a
heterogeneous and spatially large area.
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Project 1: Meta-Analysis

My Role




Search for scientific papers with relevant data
Compile data into an Excel database
Analyze data using statistics and graphs
Conclusions


Deduce something about the role of fire in shaping
savanna/forest niches
Test evolutionary strategy of nitrogen-fixers
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Project 2: Pine Barrens

“Pinelands”

Central and Southern NJ

Forest vs. Pygmy Pines

Goal: determine the role of soil
fertility and fire in shaping the above
and belowground biomass.

Methods

Experimental design

Fieldwork in the Pine Barrens
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Project 2: Pine Barrens


My role

Fieldwork: vegetation surveys and measurements, soil
samples  above and belowground biomass, soil fertility

3 plots: hold soil fertility & fire frequency constant through
different plot combinations
Conclusion

Infer whether fire or soil fertility or combination drives
nutrient cycling feedbacks
Poor soil
fertility
&
Low
frequency
of fire
Poor soil
fertility
&
High
frequency
of fire
Very poor
soil fertility
&
High
frequency
of fire
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Internship Experience


Research Experience

Data compilation vs. fieldwork

Insight into working in a lab
Skills

Tackling problems and revision in the scientific process

Collaboration with other scientists

Confidence in my work
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Thank You!

Adam Pellegrini, Graduate Student, Princeton University

Hedin Laboratory
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Princeton Environmental Institute