Abstract Detail

Bryology and Lichenology

Braga, Livia [1], Carter, Benjamin [1].

The Influence of Microclimate on Fine Scale Distribution of Coexisting Scleropodium Species.

Climate change is predicted to impact species distributions, and to be able to understand what these impacts will be we first need to understand how climate influences these species right now. Mosses are an ideal system for studying this because they are relatively less influenced by biotic factors than vascular plants; specifically, their distributions are not influenced by seed dispersers, pollinators or by mycorrhizal associates. The aim of this study is to test whether four sympatric mosses in the genus Scleropodium have different photosynthetic optima for light intensity and temperature.
Based on previous field studies, I hypothesize that the four species will not differ in terms of the light intensity required for optimal photosynthesis but will differ in the optimal temperature at which they maximize the rate of photosynthesis (and therefore also maximizing carbon uptake). In one experiment, light intensity in growth chambers will be set at 200, 400, 600 or 800 μmol m-2 s-1. For a second experiment, temperatures will be set at 5, 10, 15 or 20 °C. Carbon uptake of each species under the differing conditions will be measured using a LI-COR LI-6400XT and a bryophyte chamber. The study is important because understanding the limiting factors of species at very small spatial scales will help us understand limiting factors on a global scale and how these may change with continuing climatic shifts.

1 - San Jose State University, Biological Sciences, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA, 95192, United States

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Bryology and Lichenology 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: PBL006
Abstract ID:632
Candidate for Awards:None