Abstract Detail

Ecology

Carlson, Christopher [1], Skema, C. [2], Block, Timothy [3].

Niche examination of Carex polymorpha Muhlenberg (Cyperaceae).

Carex polymorpha (variable sedge) is a globally rare species with populations distributed from Maine to Virginia in a narrow geographical band. In the literature, occurrence of C. polymorpha has been linked to low percent canopy cover, yet this variable fails to fully explain its overall distribution. Specimen records of C. polymorpha were obtained from virtual herbaria. Duplicate records and misidentified specimens were eliminated. The remaining specimens (n=78) were georeferenced as needed with GeoLocate, then these specimens were assigned a quality score based on the locality information provided: 0) most reliable (n=8), specimens for which GPS coordinates were recorded at the time of collection, 1) reliable (n=21), specimens without GPS coordinates that included detailed verbatim locality descriptions, and 2) least reliable (n=49), specimens with more general locality descriptions. Specimens bearing locality references only to state, county, or township were not included in the analyses. Data for elevation, slope, aspect, geology, hydrology, and climate parameters were extracted for the latitude-longitude points for all specimens. The resulting data were analyzed using a linear regression model to look for correlations between specimen localities and abiotic factors. Our analyses show that the abiotic factors considered in this study are not correlated with occurrences of C. polymorpha at the scale thus far considered. Due to limited availability of specimen data with high-confidence locality information, field work, including collection of site-specific abiotic factor data, is needed to further study the environmental parameters governing the occurrence of Carex polymorpha.

1 - University of Pennsylvania, Biology
2 - University of Pennsylvania, Morris Arboretum, 9414 Meadowbrook Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19118, United States
3 - University Of Pennsylvania, MORRIS ARBORETUM, 9414 Meadowbrook Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19118, United States

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Ecology Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PEC016
Abstract ID:507
Candidate for Awards:None