What is the relationship between CO2 flux and Altitude in the

Winter Climate Region of Niwot Ridge?

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.

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

4) Soil Temp -4 C and Semi Moist, Some cover of Pine Needles, 46 cm snow, Light brown

5) Soil Temp -2 C and Semi Moist, Some cover of Pine Needles, 47 cm snow, light brown

6) Soil Temp -3 C and Semi Moist, strong cover of Pine Needles, 47 cm snow, light brown

3231m Pits

7) Soil Temp -5 C and dry, low debris cover of Pine Needles, 50 cm snow, light brown8) Soil Temp -4 C and semi moist, clay feel, lots of debris, 49 cm snow, light brown9) Soil Temp -4 C and dry, some cover of Pine Needles, 45 cm snow, light brown

Looking at the Data

Results and Statistical Analysis of Data

Comparative Analysis 2895m

Mean R^2 @ 2895M= 0.9960

Mean CO2 Flux acrossAll 3 Samples= 1.702566667

Standard ErrorAveraged for all 3=0.260487709

P-Value= 1.129E -16

P-Value= 2.56E -9

P-Value =4.94E -16

Comparative Analysis 3078m

Mean R^2 @ 3078m= 0.9334

Mean CO2 Flux across all 3 =0.684366667

Standard ErrorAveraged for all 3=0.951912403

P-Value=1.66E -14

P-Value= 5.52E-11

P-Value=5.00E-15

Comparative Analysis @ 3231m

Mean R^2 @ 3231m= 0.9237

Mean CO2 Flux across all 3=0.090166667

Standard ErrorAveraged for all 3= 0.540573092

P-Value= 2.56E -9

P-Value=4.94E -16

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 groups0.009531542

P-Value Anova across groups0.009531542

Graph ShowingError Bars which indicateStrong 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

3

1

2 As we go higher there isless respiration occurringin the data. There are many Influencing factors.

There is a strong correlationbetween respirationand altitude in this data.

1 Highest CO2 Flux Rate

2 Middle3 Lowest CO2 Flux Rate

Thank you all!Special thanks to Derek for always being willing to help!

QUESTIONS

ReferencesSpatial and temporal controls of soil respiration rate in a high elevation, subalpine forest,Laura E. Scott-Denton, Kimberlee L. Sparks, Russell K. MonsonDepartment of Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado, Campus Box 334, Boulder, CO 80309, USAReceived 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. Schmidtwww.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,USAReceived 9 November 2004; received in revised form 12 June 2006; accepted 20 June 2006 Evidence that chytrids dominate fungal communities in high-elevation soilsK. 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. SchmidtDepartment of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, N122 Ramaley Hall, Campus Box 334, Boulder, CO 80309-0334