REDLAIR PRE-RESEARCH FORM
All workers must fill out a pre-research form for all new work.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Date: 2/5/09
Last Name: Eppes
First Name: Martha Cary
M.I. : “Missy”
Street Address: Dept. Geog & Earth
Sciences
Apartment/Unit #: UNC Charlotte
City: Charlotte
State: NC
ZIP: 28223
Phone : 704 687-5993
E-mail Address: meppes@uncc.ed
Affiliation: UNC Charlotte
Job Title:
Asst. Prof
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
Short Title of Research Project (this will be used as a reference):
The relationship between soil development, landscape position and anthocyanin
production in deciduous trees.
Field of Research (Biosciences, geosciences etc.): Earth Sciences/ Ecology/Plant
Physiology
Description of proposed Research. Please include detailed description of
goal/hypothesis; methods; expected datasets; and safety precautions that you will take
while on the property. Please attach a separate page if necessary:
The evolutionary function of anthocyanin (red pigment) production during leaf
senescence remains strongly debated (e.g. Gould, 2004). Prior studies have primarily
concentrated, however, on plant physiology without a concurrent examination of
landscape characteristics. Recent studies suggest that anthocyanin production might be
related to nutrient deprivation (Habinck and Eppes, 2007; cite other paper here). As soil
becomes more developed, particularly in the mature soils of the Piedmont region of North
Carolina, it becomes nutrient deprived. In more active areas of the landscape
(floodplains, natural levees, toeslopes, areas of human modification), active deposition or
exposure of unweathered sediment results in higher nutrient availability. If nutrient
availability is driving anthocyanin production, then a correlation should exist between
landscape position, soil chemistry and morphology, and the leaf chemistry (including the
amount of anthocyanins) of deciduous species.
Ten site with unique geomorphology and/or land-use histories will be chosen and
20x20m plots on each of the sites will be established with flagging pins or tape. For each
site, we propose to dig and describe and sample (~7 200 g samples per pit) one soil
exposure (~3’x3’x4’), take 10 auger borings collecting ~3 100 g samples from each),
conduct tree species counts, and collect leaf samples from both green (~10 per site)
leaves and senescing leaves (~50 per site). In addition we will examine the coloration
associated with each site in 2006 satellite imagery that was taken during off-peak color
that we have acquired. Soil and green leaf samples will be analyzed for nutrient content;
senescing leaves will be analyzed for anthocyanin content.
Location of Research on Redlair. Please refer to specific basins by name or to UTM
coordinates on the Primary Redlair Base Map on the Redlair website: www.redlair.org.
Initially, we propose to start with the following sites:
2 sites (one on a south-facing hillslope, one on an alluvial fan) on the west side of the
river in the drainage located between 0800 to 1400 E and 6100 to 6400 N.
4 sites (one on the SFC floodplain, one on the SFC levee, one on a south facing slope and
one on the alluvial fan) in the vicinity of 0800 to 1400 E and 5100 to 5300 N
I will amend this form when additional sites are chosen and send it to the RAC for
approval.
Proposed Start and End Date for the overall Project Feb. 09-December 2010 with the
majority of field work occurring in the summer and fall of 2009.
Impacts of study on study site. Describe in as much detail as possible any specific
impacts to the study site that you anticipate, including disruption of vegetation or soil:
I propose the following protocol for digging soil exposures:
Clear away dead leaves and save on a tarp approximately 5’x5’ of ground. Carefully
remove topsoil in in-tact blocks from an ~ 3’x4’ area and save on a second tarp adjacent
to the hole. Dig hole, putting spoils on a third tarp. Describe and sample soil. Exposures
will be left for no more than 2 weeks, but will typically be filled within 48 hours. When
left, holes will be covered securely with a weighted down tarp to prevent animals from
entering.
I propose to dig one test pit initially and to have Haywood see what he thinks. If
acceptable we will continue, if not, I will re-propose my methods.
Auger holes will be sampled, described and filled immediately and the site of the hole
will be cleaned up as much as possible.
Leaf samples will be collected by hand.
The only equipment to be left will be flagging tape or pins to mark the site. These will be
removed when the project is complete.
We will attempt to keep trampling of the sites to a minimum
I have read, understood, and will follow the Guidelines for Use of Redlair.
Signature: ______Martha Cary Eppes electronic signature__ Date:____2/5/09___