Winter Ecology, MRS 2013 Project by Rob
McFadzean
Introduction:
 Is there a change in microbial CO2 Flux rates for soils at
different altitudes to complement the Net Production of CO2
within similar LodgePole Pine Environments?
Constituents of Microbial flux differences
 Organic layer thickness, organic layer ammonium concentration,
organic layer water content, soluble concentration, and microbial and
root biomass [Russ Monson, Scott-Denton, Sparks’, 2002]
 Have the Microbial organisms adapted to the Altitude to produce more
or similar amounts of CO2? Lets take a look after doing a little
gathering of data.
Methods:
• Each pit in each of the 9 locations will be measured to have a Snow Pack Depth of
40-50 cm. I took a measurement recording every 4-5 seconds with the CO2 Flux
Analyzer.
• I then took soil temperature measurements in each location at 2cm deep.
• Each location had a Soil Sample tested through by rubbing the soil together for
moisture content and giving it a rating, Moist, Semi Moist and dry.
• The Soil richness was also noted being ranked from light brown to dark brown.
• I also took into account the amount of Fungi and decomposing matter present, as
well as the leaves and pine needles.
• Each located within Lodge Pole Pine growth, mostly shaded and on similar
grades.
Looking at the Data
2895m Pits
1) Soil Temp -4 C and Semi Moist, Strong cover of Pine Needles, 40 cm snow, Semi Dark brown
2) Soil Temp -1 C and Semi Moist, Strong cover of Pine Needles, 40 cm snow, Semi Dark brown
3) Soil Temp 0 C and Semi Moist, Strong cover of Pine Needles, 45 cm snow, Semi Dark brown
3078m Pits
1) Soil Temp -4 C and Semi Moist, Some cover of Pine Needles, 46 cm snow, Light brown
2) Soil Temp -2 C and Semi Moist, Some cover of Pine Needles, 47 cm snow, light brown
3) Soil Temp -3 C and Semi Moist, strong cover of Pine Needles, 47 cm snow, light brown
3231m Pits
1) Soil Temp -5 C and dry, low debris cover of Pine Needles, 50 cm snow, light brown
2) Soil Temp -4 C and semi moist, clay feel, lots of debris, 49 cm snow, light brown
3) Soil Temp -4 C and dry, some cover of Pine Needles, 45 cm snow, light brown
Results and Statistical Analysis of Data
Comparative Analysis 2895m
P-Value
= 1.129E -16
P-Value
= 2.56E -9
P-Value =
4.94E -16
Mean R^2 @
2895M
= 0.9960
Mean CO2 Flux
across
All 3 Samples
= 1.702566667
Standard Error
Averaged for all 3
=0.260487709
Comparative Analysis 3078m
Mean R^2 @
3078m
= 0.9334
P-Value
=1.66E -14
P-Value
= 5.52E-11
Mean CO2 Flux
across all 3
=0.684366667
Standard Error
Averaged for all 3
=0.951912403
P-Value
=5.00E-15
Comparative Analysis @ 3231m
P-Value
= 2.56E -9
P-Value
=4.94E -16
Mean R^2 @ 3231m
= 0.9237
Mean CO2 Flux
across all 3
=0.090166667
Standard Error
Averaged for all 3
= 0.540573092
P-Value
= 1.129E -16
Discussion:
Altitude appears to have an affect on CO2 Production
Std Error =
0.260487709
Std Error =
0.504365618
Std Error =
0.540573092
P-Value Anova across
groups
0.009531542
P-Value Anova across groups
0.009531542
Graph Showing
Error Bars which indicate
Strong predictability
P-Value across the groups leads to saying the Null Hypothesis can be rejected and
CO2 flux is significantly variable across the group at higher altitudes.
Conclusions
As we go higher there is
less respiration occurring
in the data. There are many
Influencing factors.
2
3
There is a strong correlation
between respiration
and altitude in this data.
1
2 Middle
1 Highest CO2 Flux Rate
3 Lowest CO2 Flux Rate
Thank you all!
Special thanks to Derek for always being willing to help!
Q
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References
Spatial and temporal controls of soil respiration rate in a high elevation, subalpine forest,
Laura E. Scott-Denton, Kimberlee L. Sparks, Russell K. Monson
Department of Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Campus Box 334,
Boulder, CO 80309, USA
Received 25 April 2002; received in revised form 14 October 2002; accepted 4 November 2002
Seasonal Dynamics of PreviouslyUnknown Fungal Lineages in Tundra Soils, Christopher W. Schadt,
Andrew P. Martin, David A. Lipson, Steven K. Schmidt
www.sciencemag.org
SCIENCE VOL 301 5 SEPTEMBER 2003
Decomposition rates of buried substrates increase with altitude in the forest-alpine tundra ecotone,
Cynthia L. Withington, Robert L. Sanford Jr.
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, 2190 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO 80208,USA
Received 9 November 2004; received in revised form 12 June 2006; accepted 20 June 2006
Evidence that chytrids dominate fungal communities in high-elevation soils
K. R. Freeman, A. P. Martin, D. Karki, R. C. Lynch, M. S. Mitter, A. F. Meyer, J. E. Longcore, D. R. Simmons and
S. K. Schmidt
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, N122 Ramaley Hall, Campus Box 334,
Boulder, CO 80309-0334