Presenter(s): Benjamin Avis – Environmental Studies
Co presenter(s): Miles Steele, Sean Petitt, Emma Rasmussen, Hunter Mackin
Faculty Mentor(s): Peg Boulay, Scott Bridgham
Oral Session 4CS
Research Area: Environmental Science
This study seeks to understand the anticipated impacts of predicted climate change on the phenology of 12 different prairie grasses and forbs. Three sites have been selected ranging from Southern Oregon to Southern Washington. Our site, Willow Creek, is located in the Southern Willamette Valley and was selected due to its high-quality restored prairie habitat. To address the possible effects of climate change on plant survival rate and vigor, our experimental design approach is to manipulate temperature and precipitation with four treatments (including control) and measure reproductive variables of the planted focal species. Experimental parameters will be consistent with average predictions for temperature and precipitation increase, and the site will be composed of 20 plots with 5 replicants of each treatment. Our team will be responsible for data collection, quality assurance, and analysis of the results. These simulations will predict the likelihood of extinction for focal species within their current range, as well as the effects on phenology and geographic distribution.