Harvard Forest Research

Leaf evolution in the genus Viburnum (Adoxaceae)

Principal Investigator: erika edwards
Brown University: Aug 15 2009 - Dec 31 2011:

Abstract:
As part of a larger project investigating leaf evolution in the genus Viburnum (Adoxaceae), we will be monitoring natural Viburnum populations in New England to assess the physical characteristics of each native species’ environmental niche. At each of five study sites throughout New England, we will identify between one and three small stands or populations of each Viburnum species present at the site. We will outfit each population with soil moisture and air temperature/humidity sensors for the duration of the study. We will also visit each population several times to monitor the plants’ phenology, physiology, and light environment. Sensor installation, unobtrusive site markers, and some minimal collection of branches and soil will be the only impacts of our study on the site. We hope to use the Harvard Forest’s Prospect Hill Tract or another area as one of our five sites, establishing study areas around Viburnum populations in cooperation with the Site Coordinator. Resulting data and publications will be submitted in accordance with the Forest’s information and document management policies.
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