Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Keyword
-
- Native plants (6)
- KSP (5)
- Mechanical strength (3)
- Heteromeles arbutifola (2)
- Hollywood (2)
-
- Malosma laurina (2)
- Photosynthetic rates (2)
- Baccharis salicifolia (1)
- Buckwheat (1)
- Ceanothus Spinosus (1)
- Ceanothus spinosus (1)
- Chaparral (1)
- Chapparal (1)
- Climate change (1)
- Conductance rates (1)
- Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) (1)
- Datura wrighti (1)
- Dirt (1)
- Drought (1)
- Encelia farinosa (1)
- Eriogonium cinerium (1)
- Heteromeles arbutifolia (1)
- Hydration (1)
- Invasive species (1)
- Leaf size (1)
- Leaf trichome densiIes (1)
Articles 1 - 16 of 16
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Stomatal Conductance Trends Of The Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata) In Relation To Circadian Rhythm Entrainability, Katie Cahoon, Martin Garcia, Matthew Pierga
Stomatal Conductance Trends Of The Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata) In Relation To Circadian Rhythm Entrainability, Katie Cahoon, Martin Garcia, Matthew Pierga
Featured Research
The effect of an inverse light cycle on a Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant was observed in the study. CAM plants are unique in that they open their stomata at night in order to conserve water, an evolution that has come about because these plants primarily exist in very arid climates. By placing a plant in a chamber in which the lights could be programmed to turn on when it was dark out, and to turn off during normal daylight hours, the stomatal conductance of the leaves of a jade plant (Crassula ovata) were recorded several times a day over …
Is There A Correlation Between Water Potential And Mechanical Strength Of Stems Of Malosma Laurina?, William Chang, Lauren Price, Nicolas Pak
Is There A Correlation Between Water Potential And Mechanical Strength Of Stems Of Malosma Laurina?, William Chang, Lauren Price, Nicolas Pak
Featured Research
The purpose of this experiment was to see if there was a correlation between water potential and the stem mechanical strength of the Malosma laurina. This experiment was conducted with the use of a Scholander-Hammel pressure chamber to find water potential and the Instron 5500 to test the mechanical strength of the stems. After analysis of the data, there was no direct correlation between water potential and the mechanical strength of stems of Malosma laurina.
Photosynthetic Advantage Of Invasive Species, Gabby Gurule-Small, Alis Sokolova, Patrick Stephens
Photosynthetic Advantage Of Invasive Species, Gabby Gurule-Small, Alis Sokolova, Patrick Stephens
Featured Research
Californians have greatly benefited from the introduction of plant and animal species necessary for food or other human pursuits; however, there are many other introduced species that can wreak havoc on the state’s environment and economy. Invasive species threaten the diversity and abundance of native species by both competing for resources and causing changes to the natural habitat. We hypothesize that invasive species will have higher photosynthetic and conductance rates which contribute to their success. Through their impacts on natural ecosystems, agricultural lands, and water delivery systems, invasive species may also negatively affect human health and possibly even the economy.
The Effect Of Riparian And Arid Environments On Stomatal Conductance In Baccharis Salicifolia And Heteromeles Arbutifolia, Danalit Rangel, Vicki Mac, Ariel Lan
The Effect Of Riparian And Arid Environments On Stomatal Conductance In Baccharis Salicifolia And Heteromeles Arbutifolia, Danalit Rangel, Vicki Mac, Ariel Lan
Featured Research
A riparian environment is characterized by higher moisture levels than an arid environment; therefore they have different species of plants that can adapt to their natural habitats. It is critical that we explore the characteristics plants have in relation to their native environments. We propose to test the hypothesis that Baccharis salicifolia would have a higher stomatal conductance rate to water vapor loss compared to Heteromeles arbutifolia because Baccharis salicifolia thrives in a riparian environment in which water abundance would increase stomatal opening thereby contributing to the greater conductance. Using the LI-6400, we measured the conductance rate, photosynthetic rate, CO2 …
Effect Of Ambient Air Temperature On Leaf Size In Raphanus Sativus, Matthew Fleming, Michael Mccormack
Effect Of Ambient Air Temperature On Leaf Size In Raphanus Sativus, Matthew Fleming, Michael Mccormack
Featured Research
Global warming is an increasing problem in today’s society. Thus, it is important to know how plants, specifically those that are cultivated for human consumption, react to rising average temperatures. This experiment tested how the leaf size of a common crop plant, Raphanus sativus (radish), is affected by two different temperatures. It is hypothesized that as temperature rises, the leaf size will increase, giving the leaf greater ability to cool via transpiration because of an larger surface area for stomatal conductance. This hypothesis was tested by growing two samples of plants in separate incubators. One sample was grown at a …
The Relationship Between Leaf Mechanical Strength And Photosynthetic Rates, Aaron Van Loon, Brianna Manes, Taylor Stucky, Thomas Addington
The Relationship Between Leaf Mechanical Strength And Photosynthetic Rates, Aaron Van Loon, Brianna Manes, Taylor Stucky, Thomas Addington
Featured Research
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy to chemical energy, helping sustain life in the biosphere. There are many factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis such as atmospheric CO2 concentration, temperature, and sunlight. In this experiment, we attempt to determine what effect, if any, the mechanical strength of a plant has on its rate of photosynthesis. To perform this experiment we used both the LI-COR 6400 and the Instron Mechanical Testing Device. With the LI-COR we measured photosynthetic rate of our plant subjects in real time during the prime photosynthetic hours, 10-12am. The Instron allowed us …
The Effect Of Dirt On Inhibition Of Light Absorption In Musa Leaves, Lorelle Knight, Alexis Carrington, Angela French, Roxanne Barker
The Effect Of Dirt On Inhibition Of Light Absorption In Musa Leaves, Lorelle Knight, Alexis Carrington, Angela French, Roxanne Barker
Featured Research
Dirt can be transported by wind, human activity and many other factors. It was hypothesized that dirt particles collected on leaves will decrease leaf reflectance and thus make the leaf less healthy. The rationale for this is that the more dirt present on the leaf, the more inhibited photons will be in reaching leaf pigments. The leaf will therefore be less healthy as it will be less able to perform photosynthesis. To test this hypothesis, eight leaf samples with varying amounts of dirt present, were collected from the plant, Musa. A Unispec spectrophotometer was used to test the reflectance of …
The Relationship Of Stomatal Conductnace To Mechanical Strength In Leaves Of Santa Monica Plants, Russell P. Mott, Steven R. Fleming, John R. Macbeth
The Relationship Of Stomatal Conductnace To Mechanical Strength In Leaves Of Santa Monica Plants, Russell P. Mott, Steven R. Fleming, John R. Macbeth
Featured Research
The Santa Monica Mountains ecosystem has a high diversity of plants with different lifestyles that produce different physiological characteristics individual to all plants. Studies in Australia, another Mediterranean ecosystem, have shown that mechanical strength of leaves is relatable to soil stress. This experiment seeks to determine whether mechanical strengths of leaves correlate to stomatal conductance of leaves across different species in the Santa Monica Mountains. Four species of plants are tested for their stomatal conductance in the field, and the leaves are tested for tensile strength using Young’s Modulus for comparison across leaves. These data show that there was no …
The Effect Of Leaf Trichome Density On Stem Mechanical Strength In Salvia Leucophylla, S. Mellifera, And S. Apiana, Brieanna English, Jeff Scanlon, Anushree Mahajan
The Effect Of Leaf Trichome Density On Stem Mechanical Strength In Salvia Leucophylla, S. Mellifera, And S. Apiana, Brieanna English, Jeff Scanlon, Anushree Mahajan
Featured Research
Salvia species in southern California exhibit a variety of leaf trichome densiIes. S. mellifera, S. leucophylla, and S. apiana were chosen as study organisms because they exhibit varying trichome densiIes. A UniSpec was used to measure NDVI in leaves and an Instron was used to measure stem mechanical strength. This study provides preliminary evidence that suggests plants with high leaf trichome density have less stem mechanical strength, and those with low leaf trichome density have greater mechanical strength. Data generated from this study supports the idea that this may be a general and loose trend amongst plant families similar to …
A Comparison Of Brittlebush (Encelia Farinosa) Productivity And Health During Drought And Post Rainfall, Gabi Diciolli, Karre Lawson, Anders Reimer
A Comparison Of Brittlebush (Encelia Farinosa) Productivity And Health During Drought And Post Rainfall, Gabi Diciolli, Karre Lawson, Anders Reimer
Featured Research
Encelia farinosa is well adapted for drought tolerance as its leaves transform color based on water availability. We were puzzled by a question that any desert botanist must consider. How does the photosynthetic efficiency of E. farinosa fluctuate as it transitions from a state of drought to a state of soil saturation within a 72 hour period? In this experiment we looked at the effects of irrigation on the health and quantum yield of the brittlebush by looking at photosynthetic rates using the portable photosynthesis system LI-COR 6400 when applied to two leaves on a given plant and water potential …
A Comparison Of Water Potential And Mechanical Strength Of Tip And Base Leaves In Heteromeles Arbutifolia, Aaron Tsai, James Maynard
A Comparison Of Water Potential And Mechanical Strength Of Tip And Base Leaves In Heteromeles Arbutifolia, Aaron Tsai, James Maynard
Featured Research
Heteromeles arbutifolia, commonly known as, Hollywood, is a plant that is extremely common in the California Chaparral ecosystem. It was observed that with Hollywood, the leaves grow on the tips of the branches predominantly. However, there are leaves that grow on the base of the branches that appear to be equally as healthy. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the leaves that grow at the tips of the branches or at the base of the branches were better suited to benefit the rest of the plant. Our hypothesis was that the leaves at the tips of the …
The Effects Of Water Stress On Datura Wrightii, Tony Festa, Kristin Lapointe, Sara Tandon
The Effects Of Water Stress On Datura Wrightii, Tony Festa, Kristin Lapointe, Sara Tandon
Featured Research
The Santa Monica Mountains are home to a unique Mediterranean type ecosystem. Due to the effects of global warming and human disruption, the native species are beginning to decrease in population. It is imperative to observe and study the native species in order to preserve the local plant and animal life. This project focuses on the native flower Datura wrightii, specifically the causes of the opening and closing of its flowers. For Datura wrightii to be pollinated, it must be open. The results of this project will help to educate the public on how to sustain an environment in which …
The Differences In Vegetation Type On North And South-Facing Slopes, Andrew Villablanca, Katherine Mccabe, Daniel Galuhn
The Differences In Vegetation Type On North And South-Facing Slopes, Andrew Villablanca, Katherine Mccabe, Daniel Galuhn
Featured Research
Our project investigated the relationship between climate change and vegetation type conversion in the Santa Monica Mountains on north and south facing slopes. Our hypothesis is that with a shift in climate towards dryer, hotter, and longer summers, and shorter and dryer winters, we will see a shift in the density of native chaparral in the Santa Monica mountains, and possibly an influx of non-native species. We tested this hypothesis by choosing three study sites that were on north/south ridgelines to simulate a dryer, harsher climate (south) and a more temperate climate (north). Using the point-quarter method to measure the …
Mechanical Strength And Hydration Level Of Heteromeles Arbutifola And Eriogonium Cinerium, Erin Hayes, Allison Naasz, Ariel Mangum
Mechanical Strength And Hydration Level Of Heteromeles Arbutifola And Eriogonium Cinerium, Erin Hayes, Allison Naasz, Ariel Mangum
Featured Research
The purpose of this study was to explore the hydration levels and mechanical strength of two species native to the same area: the dry Mediterranean region of the Santa Monica Mountains. The plants in this area must make adaptations to dry and arid climates, and We will compare how they stack up against each other in terms of drought resistance. Using Hollywood (heteromeles arbutifola) and Buckwheat (Eriogonium cinerium) we studied the different hydration levels and mechanical strengths and compared them. Both H. Arbutifola and the E. Cinerium are expected to mechanically stronger when hydrated.. We also expect the H. Arbutifola …
Exploring The Hydration Levels Of Malosma Laurina At Different Elevations On A Man-Made Trail, Eric S. Taylor, Brad J. Anderson, Brandon E. Stites
Exploring The Hydration Levels Of Malosma Laurina At Different Elevations On A Man-Made Trail, Eric S. Taylor, Brad J. Anderson, Brandon E. Stites
Featured Research
The purpose of this study is to examine the water potential of Malosma laurina at different elevations of a man made trail in the chapparal of the Santa Monica Mountains. Chaparral in the Santa Monica Mountains have been depleted because of human involvement effecting the chaparral ecosystem. Fire breaks and man made trails are a few of the major causes of the rapidly changing ecosystem and continues to cause stress among the plants. We are testing the effect that man made trails have on the water potential of Malosma laurina. This was measured by taking samples of Malosma laurina at …
Stem Mechanical Strength In Thinned Versus Non-Thinned Ceanothus Spinosus, Ksp, David J. Kang, Hannah Y. Choe, Melinda L. Marchiano
Stem Mechanical Strength In Thinned Versus Non-Thinned Ceanothus Spinosus, Ksp, David J. Kang, Hannah Y. Choe, Melinda L. Marchiano
Featured Research
What effect does the thinning of chaparral around building structures have on plant health? More specifically, does the thinning of Ceanothus spinosus influence mechanical strength? The ability of our native chaparral to withstand environmental factors, such as the Santa Ana winds, and overall health is directly related to plant strength. Seeking to answer these questions, we hypothesized that a difference in water potential between thinned and non-thinned chaparral affects the stem mechanical strength of the plants.We believed that thinned C. spinosus due to greater hydration will be mechanically stronger than non-thinned chaparral.The knowledge of what helps chaparral to be stronger …