Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Life Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Forest Biology

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Theses/Dissertations

Stable isotopes

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Conifer Encroachment And Removal In A Northern California Oak Woodland: Influences On Ecosystem Physiology And Biodiversity, Gabriel S. Goff Jan 2021

Conifer Encroachment And Removal In A Northern California Oak Woodland: Influences On Ecosystem Physiology And Biodiversity, Gabriel S. Goff

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) woodlands across their range are becoming increasingly threatened by encroaching Douglas-fir encroachment (Pseudotsuga menziesii) as a result of fire exclusion. Using water potential (Ψ), stomatal conductance (gs), xylem water stable isotopes (dD), and three metrics of biodiversity, this study investigates the effects of conifer encroachment and removal at the ecosystem-scale. The study was set in an Oregon white oak woodland in northern California and compared three levels of encroachment before and after conifer removal. Findings indicate that heavily encroached stands have the least amount of water stress and gas …


Influences On Conifer Drought Responses In Northern California, Wallis L. Robinson Jan 2021

Influences On Conifer Drought Responses In Northern California, Wallis L. Robinson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

California is experiencing increasingly severe and prolonged droughts, which are contributing to changes in tree stress and forest mortality. Many factors affect a tree’s drought response, including competition, climate, and site and tree characteristics. Northern California provides a suitable venue to explore the effects of these factors, as it spans a variety of site conditions and includes habitat for conifers with different adaptations and requirements. This study used annual 13C discrimination and growth metrics to assess differences in drought resistance and resilience in conifers adapted to coastal and montane ranges at both wet and dry sites, as well as …