Vegetation Classification and Map Petroglyph National Monument

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Vegetation Classification and Map Petroglyph National Monument National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Vegetation Classification and Map Petroglyph National Monument Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR—2012/627 ON THE COVER Petroglyph National Monument Photograph courtesy of the Southern Colorado Plateau Network Vegetation Classification and Map Petroglyph National Monument Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR—2012/627 Esteban Muldavin, Yvonne Chauvin, Lisa Arnold, Teri Neville, and Paul Arbetan Natural Heritage New Mexico Division Museum of Southwestern Biology University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico Paul Neville Earth Data Analysis Center University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico Project Coordinators Anne Cully and Lisa Potter Thomas September 2012 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and envi- ronmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Technical Report Series is used to disseminate results of scientific studies in the physical, biological, and social sciences for both the advancement of science and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series provides contributors with a forum for displaying comprehensive data that are often deleted from journals because of page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientif- ically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. This report received formal peer review by subject-matter experts who were not directly involved in the collec- tion, analysis, or reporting of the data, and whose background and expertise put them on par technically and scientifically with the authors of the information. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U.S. Government. This project was funded by the National Park Service through Cooperative Agreement 1248-01-001, Task Agree- ment J2121060005/UNM-23. This report is available from the Southern Colorado Plateau Network (http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ scpn), the Natural Resource Publications Management Web site (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/ nrpm/), and the USGS-NPS Vegetation Characterization Program website (http://www.usgs.gov/core_science_ systems/csas/vip/index.html) on the Internet. Please cite this publication as: Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, L. Arnold, T. Neville, P. Arbetan and P. Neville. 2012. Vegetation classification and map: Petroglyph National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR—2012/627. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 354/116998, September 2012 Contents Figures ............................................................................................................................................................................ iv Tables .............................................................................................................................................................................. vi Appendices .................................................................................................................................................................... vii Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................................... ix Acronyms and Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................... xiii 1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background, scope, and products ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 The USGS-NPS Vegetation Characterization/ Mapping Program ............................................................................... 1 1.3 Park environment .................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3.1 Location and cultural setting .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.3.2 Climate .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3.3 Geology and soils ........................................................................................................................................... 7 1.3.4 Previous botanical and vegetation studies ..................................................................................................... 10 2 Vegetation classification ........................................................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Classification method: The National Vegetation Classification Standard ................................................................. 13 2.2 Field methods ........................................................................................................................................................ 15 2.3 Vegetation analysis ................................................................................................................................................ 17 2.4 Classification results .............................................................................................................................................. 17 2.4.1 Grasslands .................................................................................................................................................... 22 2.4.2 Shrublands .................................................................................................................................................... 24 2.4.3 Woodlands ................................................................................................................................................... 27 2.5 Classification discussion ......................................................................................................................................... 28 2.6 Vegetation communities of conservation interest ................................................................................................... 28 3 Petroglyph National Monument Vegetation Map .................................................................................................. 29 3.1 Mapping process overview ..................................................................................................................................... 29 3.2 Mapping methods ................................................................................................................................................. 29 3.2.1 Data sources and processing ......................................................................................................................... 29 3.2.2 Vegetation map units and legend development ............................................................................................ 31 3.2.3 Final map development ................................................................................................................................ 33 3.3 Mapping discussion .............................................................................................................................................. 33 4 Accuracy assessment ................................................................................................................................................. 45 4.1 Accuracy assessment methods .............................................................................................................................. 45 4.2 Analysis methods ................................................................................................................................................... 46 4.3 Accuracy assessment results ................................................................................................................................... 47 5 Literature cited ........................................................................................................................................................... 53 Contents iii Figures Figure 1. Petroglyph National Monument is located in the Middle Rio Grande valley to the west of, and adjacent to, the city of Albuquerque. The inset on the lower left depicts the monument in the broader New Mexico context. ............................................................................................................................................................... 3 Figure 2. Petroglyph
Recommended publications
  • Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat Map for Portions of Eastern New Mexico
    ________________________________________________________________________ Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat Map for Portions of Eastern New Mexico ________________________________________________________________________ 16 November 2005 Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat Map for 1 Portions of Eastern New Mexico Paul Neville, Teri Neville, and Kristine Johnson2 ABSTRACT The purpose of this project was to provide a map depicting the extent and location of lesser prairie-chicken habitat in New Mexico. The 923,441 ha (2,281,868 ac) study area includes most of the remaining occupied habitat for the lesser prairie-chicken in the state. We used field data in conjunction with satellite imagery and aerial photography to create a vegetation map. We classified the map according to plant associations and subsequently regrouped it into map units that incorporated landforms, to reflect the habitat requirements of lesser prairie-chickens. We performed GIS analyses incorporating vegetation type, patch size, and fragmentation to identify areas of high quality lesser prairie-chicken habitat. These analyses demonstrate that only three places within the mapped area contain large patches of suitable habitat, and one of those is south of US 380, where LPCH populations are already sparse and scattered. The GIS analyses also indicate that the vast majority of high-quality vegetation types occur in patches smaller than 3200 ha, rendering them by most definitions below the minimum size required by LPCH. Used in combination with GIS analysis and current LPCH population data, the map represents a powerful management, planning, and monitoring tool. 1 Draft Final report submitted 31 August 2005 in partial fulfillment of Task Order 5 to Cooperative Agreement No. GDA010009 between Natural Heritage New Mexico at the University of New Mexico and Bureau of Land Management; Work Order No.
    [Show full text]
  • Pima County Plant List (2020) Common Name Exotic? Source
    Pima County Plant List (2020) Common Name Exotic? Source McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Abies concolor var. concolor White fir Devender, T. R. (2005) McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica Corkbark fir Devender, T. R. (2005) Abronia villosa Hariy sand verbena McLaughlin, S. (1992) McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Abutilon abutiloides Shrubby Indian mallow Devender, T. R. (2005) Abutilon berlandieri Berlandier Indian mallow McLaughlin, S. (1992) Abutilon incanum Indian mallow McLaughlin, S. (1992) McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Abutilon malacum Yellow Indian mallow Devender, T. R. (2005) Abutilon mollicomum Sonoran Indian mallow McLaughlin, S. (1992) Abutilon palmeri Palmer Indian mallow McLaughlin, S. (1992) Abutilon parishii Pima Indian mallow McLaughlin, S. (1992) McLaughlin, S. (1992); UA Abutilon parvulum Dwarf Indian mallow Herbarium; ASU Vascular Plant Herbarium Abutilon pringlei McLaughlin, S. (1992) McLaughlin, S. (1992); UA Abutilon reventum Yellow flower Indian mallow Herbarium; ASU Vascular Plant Herbarium McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Acacia angustissima Whiteball acacia Devender, T. R. (2005); DBGH McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Acacia constricta Whitethorn acacia Devender, T. R. (2005) McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Acacia greggii Catclaw acacia Devender, T. R. (2005) Acacia millefolia Santa Rita acacia McLaughlin, S. (1992) McLaughlin, S. (1992); Van Acacia neovernicosa Chihuahuan whitethorn acacia Devender, T. R. (2005) McLaughlin, S. (1992); UA Acalypha lindheimeri Shrubby copperleaf Herbarium Acalypha neomexicana New Mexico copperleaf McLaughlin, S. (1992); DBGH Acalypha ostryaefolia McLaughlin, S. (1992) Acalypha pringlei McLaughlin, S. (1992) Acamptopappus McLaughlin, S. (1992); UA Rayless goldenhead sphaerocephalus Herbarium Acer glabrum Douglas maple McLaughlin, S. (1992); DBGH Acer grandidentatum Sugar maple McLaughlin, S. (1992); DBGH Acer negundo Ashleaf maple McLaughlin, S.
    [Show full text]
  • A Vegetation Classification and Map: White Sands National Monument
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science A Vegetation Classification and Map White Sands National Monument Natural Resource Report NPS/CHDN/NRR—2019/1906 ON THE COVER Representative vegetation communities of White Sands National Monument. Photography by E. Muldavin, Charlie Jack- son, Yvonne Chauvin, and Jamie Thompson A Vegetation Classification and Map White Sands National Monument Natural Resource Report NPS/WHSA/NRR—2019/1906 Esteban Muldavin1 Yvonne Chauvin1 Keith Schulz2 Teri Neville1 Paul Neville3 Jacqueline Smith1 Anthony Fettes1 1Natural Heritage New Mexico Division Museum of Southwestern Biology University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 2NatureServe Boulder, CO 3Earth Data Analysis Center University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM April 2019 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner.
    [Show full text]
  • Ajo Peak to Tinajas Altas: a Flora of Southwestern Arizona
    Felger, R.S., S. Rutman, and J. Malusa. 2014. Ajo Peak to Tinajas Altas: A flora of southwestern Arizona. Part 6. Poaceae – grass family. Phytoneuron 2014-35: 1–139. Published 17 March 2014. ISSN 2153 733X AJO PEAK TO TINAJAS ALTAS: A FLORA OF SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA Part 6. POACEAE – GRASS FAMILY RICHARD STEPHEN FELGER Herbarium, University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona 85721 & Sky Island Alliance P.O. Box 41165, Tucson, Arizona 85717 *Author for correspondence: [email protected] SUSAN RUTMAN 90 West 10th Street Ajo, Arizona 85321 JIM MALUSA School of Natural Resources and the Environment University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona 85721 [email protected] ABSTRACT A floristic account is provided for the grass family as part of the vascular plant flora of the contiguous protected areas of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, and the Tinajas Altas Region in southwestern Arizona. This is the second largest family in the flora area after Asteraceae. A total of 97 taxa in 46 genera of grasses are included in this publication, which includes ones established and reproducing in the modern flora (86 taxa in 43 genera), some occurring at the margins of the flora area or no long known from the area, and ice age fossils. At least 28 taxa are known by fossils recovered from packrat middens, five of which have not been found in the modern flora: little barley ( Hordeum pusillum ), cliff muhly ( Muhlenbergia polycaulis ), Paspalum sp., mutton bluegrass ( Poa fendleriana ), and bulb panic grass ( Zuloagaea bulbosa ). Non-native grasses are represented by 27 species, or 28% of the modern grass flora.
    [Show full text]
  • Responses of Plant Communities to Grazing in the Southwestern United States Department of Agriculture United States Forest Service
    Responses of Plant Communities to Grazing in the Southwestern United States Department of Agriculture United States Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Daniel G. Milchunas General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-169 April 2006 Milchunas, Daniel G. 2006. Responses of plant communities to grazing in the southwestern United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-169. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 126 p. Abstract Grazing by wild and domestic mammals can have small to large effects on plant communities, depend- ing on characteristics of the particular community and of the type and intensity of grazing. The broad objective of this report was to extensively review literature on the effects of grazing on 25 plant commu- nities of the southwestern U.S. in terms of plant species composition, aboveground primary productiv- ity, and root and soil attributes. Livestock grazing management and grazing systems are assessed, as are effects of small and large native mammals and feral species, when data are available. Emphasis is placed on the evolutionary history of grazing and productivity of the particular communities as deter- minants of response. After reviewing available studies for each community type, we compare changes in species composition with grazing among community types. Comparisons are also made between southwestern communities with a relatively short history of grazing and communities of the adjacent Great Plains with a long evolutionary history of grazing. Evidence for grazing as a factor in shifts from grasslands to shrublands is considered. An appendix outlines a new community classification system, which is followed in describing grazing impacts in prior sections.
    [Show full text]
  • Tesis Amarilla, Leonardo David.Pdf (5.496Mb)
    Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales Estudio Poblacional y Filogenético en Munroa (Poaceae, Chloridoideae) Lic. Leonardo David Amarilla Tesis para optar al grado de Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas Directora: Dra. Ana M. Anton Co-Director: Dr. Jorge O. Chiapella Asesora de Tesis: Dra. Victoria Sosa Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal CONICET-UNC Córdoba, Argentina 2014 Comisión Asesora de Tesis Dra. Ana M. Anton, IMBIV, Córdoba. Dra. Noemí Gardenal, IDEA, Córdoba. Dra. Liliana Giussani, IBODA, Buenos Aires. Defensa Oral y Pública Lugar y Fecha: Calificación: Tribunal evaluador de Tesis Firma………………………………… Aclaración…………………………………... Firma………………………………… Aclaración…………………………………... Firma………………………………… Aclaración…………………………………... “Tengamos ideales elevados y pensemos en alcanzar grandes cosas, porque como la vida rebaja siempre y no se logra sino una parte de lo que se ansía, soñando muy alto alcanzaremos mucho más” Bernardo Alberto Houssay A mis padres y hermanas Quiero expresar mi más profundo agradecimiento a mis directores de tesis, la Dra. Ana M. Anton y el Dr. Jorge O. Chiapella, por todo lo que me enseñaron en cuanto a sistemática y taxonomía de gramíneas, por sus consejos, acompañamiento y dedicación. De la misma manera, quiero agradecer a la Dra. Victoria Sosa (INECOL A.C., Veracruz, Xalapa, México) por su acompañamiento y por todo lo que me enseñó en cuando a filogeografía y genética de poblaciones. Además quiero agradecer… A mis compañeros de trabajo: Nicolás Nagahama, Raquel Scrivanti, Federico Robbiati, Lucia Castello, Jimena Nores, Marcelo Gritti. A los curadores y equipo técnico del Museo Botánico de Córdoba. A la Dra. Reneé Fortunato. A la Dra. Marcela M. Manifesto. A la Dra.
    [Show full text]
  • Black-Tailed Praire Dog Surveys in Pueblo, Crowley, Otero
    BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOG SURVEYS OF BLM LANDS IN EASTERN COLORADO A Report to the Bureau of Land Management, Canon City Office By The Colorado Natural Heritage Program Colorado State University March 2004 Timothy J Assal and John R Sovell Colorado Natural Heritage Program Colorado State University 8002 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-8002 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………….…4 METHODS……………………………………………………………………………………….6 RESULTS………………………………………………………………………………………...7 Study Area………………………………………………………………………………………7 Element Occurrences of Animals Tracked by CNHP………………………………………….11 Parcel Summaries………………………………………………………………………………17 Baca County………………………………………………………………………………..15 Bent County..…………………………………………...……………………………....….21 El Paso County..…………………………………………………………….…...…………27 Kiowa County…………………………………………………………………...…………29 Las Animas County………………………………………………………………………...33 Lincoln County…………………………………………………………..………………...39 Logan County………………………………………………..……………………………..45 Morgan County………………..…………………………………………………………...47 Prowers County…..…………….…………………………………………………………..51 Sedgwick County…………………………………………………………………………..55 Washington County…….………………………………………………………………….57 Weld County………………….……………………………………………………………59 Yuma County………………………………………………………………………………61 Potential Conservation Areas….…………………………………………………………...65 B2 Potential Conservation Areas………………………………………………………...65 Chico Basin Shortgrass Prairie..……………………………………………………..65 Jesus Mesa……...…………………………………………………………………....71 Neeskah…….………….………………………………………………….………….75 Signal
    [Show full text]
  • Vascular Plants and a Brief History of the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands
    United States Department of Agriculture Vascular Plants and a Brief Forest Service Rocky Mountain History of the Kiowa and Rita Research Station General Technical Report Blanca National Grasslands RMRS-GTR-233 December 2009 Donald L. Hazlett, Michael H. Schiebout, and Paulette L. Ford Hazlett, Donald L.; Schiebout, Michael H.; and Ford, Paulette L. 2009. Vascular plants and a brief history of the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS- GTR-233. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 44 p. Abstract Administered by the USDA Forest Service, the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands occupy 230,000 acres of public land extending from northeastern New Mexico into the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas. A mosaic of topographic features including canyons, plateaus, rolling grasslands and outcrops supports a diverse flora. Eight hundred twenty six (826) species of vascular plant species representing 81 plant families are known to occur on or near these public lands. This report includes a history of the area; ethnobotanical information; an introductory overview of the area including its climate, geology, vegetation, habitats, fauna, and ecological history; and a plant survey and information about the rare, poisonous, and exotic species from the area. A vascular plant checklist of 816 vascular plant taxa in the appendix includes scientific and common names, habitat types, and general distribution data for each species. This list is based on extensive plant collections and available herbarium collections. Authors Donald L. Hazlett is an ethnobotanist, Director of New World Plants and People consulting, and a research associate at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, CO.
    [Show full text]
  • Floristic Surveys of Saguaro National Park Protected Natural Areas
    Floristic Surveys of Saguaro National Park Protected Natural Areas William L. Halvorson and Brooke S. Gebow, editors Technical Report No. 68 United States Geological Survey Sonoran Desert Field Station The University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona USGS Sonoran Desert Field Station The University of Arizona, Tucson The Sonoran Desert Field Station (SDFS) at The University of Arizona is a unit of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center (WERC). It was originally established as a National Park Service Cooperative Park Studies Unit (CPSU) in 1973 with a research staff and ties to The University of Arizona. Transferred to the USGS Biological Resources Division in 1996, the SDFS continues the CPSU mission of providing scientific data (1) to assist U.S. Department of Interior land management agencies within Arizona and (2) to foster cooperation among all parties overseeing sensitive natural and cultural resources in the region. It also is charged with making its data resources and researchers available to the interested public. Seventeen such field stations in California, Arizona, and Nevada carry out WERC’s work. The SDFS provides a multi-disciplinary approach to studies in natural and cultural sciences. Principal cooperators include the School of Renewable Natural Resources and the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at The University of Arizona. Unit scientists also hold faculty or research associate appointments at the university. The Technical Report series distributes information relevant to high priority regional resource management needs. The series presents detailed accounts of study design, methods, results, and applications possibly not accommodated in the formal scientific literature. Technical Reports follow SDFS guidelines and are subject to peer review and editing.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 52 / Friday, March 15, 1996 / Rules And
    10692 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 52 / Friday, March 15, 1996 / Rules and Regulations ownership proceeding concerning these the Administrative Procedure Act television licensees in 10 or more states; issues. We accordingly retain and (``APA'').5 The rule changes adopted in and/or any person, entity, or redesignate § 73.3555(e)(3) (i) and (ii). this Order do not involve discretionary corporation controlling, controlled by, The remainder of the definitions set action on the part of the Commission. or under common control with such forth in paragraph (e)(3) (defining Rather, they simply implement person, entity, or corporation; or ``minority'' and ``minority-controlled'') provisions of the Telecom Act that (2) Any network described in will be removed to conform to the rule direct the Commission to revise its rules paragraph (g)(1) of this section and an changes mandated by the Telecom Act. according to specific terms set forth in English-language program distribution 4. Dual Network Operations. Section the legislation. service that, on February 8, 1996, 73.658(g) of the Commission's Rules, Ordering Clause provided four or more hours of commonly known as the ``dual programming per week on a national network'' rule, currently prohibits 7. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that basis pursuant to network affiliation television stations from affiliating with pursuant to section 202(c)(1) and 202(e) arrangements with local television a network organization that maintains of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, broadcast stations in markets reaching more than one network of television and to section 4(i) and 303(r) of the more than 75 percent of television stations unless the networks are not Communications Act of 1934, as homes (as measured by a national operated simultaneously or unless there amended, 47 U.S.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Vegetation Community Responses to Juniper Slash/Burn and Broadcast Burn
    Vegetation Community Responses to Juniper Slash/Burn and Broadcast Burn on A Semi-Desert Tobosa Grassland by Kimberly Sue Cole-Snow A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree Master of Science Approved November 2015 by the Graduate Supervisory Committee: Eddie Alford, Chair William Miller Douglas Green ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY December 2015 ABSTRACT Modern management techniques to maintain rangelands and deter encroachment of juniper into grassland habitats currently includes fire prescription. Additionally, a large body of research has indicated that fire has multiple benefits to grasslands resulting in increased diversity of flora and fauna. In the semi-arid grassland of the Agua Fria National Monument, fire treatments may be able to provide similar advantages. This study considers two methods of fire prescription on the Agua Fria National Monument within central Arizona: 1) Juniper thinning with pile burning; 2) Broadcast burning. The Agua Fria National Monument upland ecosystem has limited research focusing on semi-arid grassland and juniper stand’s response to implemented treatments over time. The four year monitoring duration of this study aids in assessing the outcome of treatments and reaching the objectives of the management plan. Vegetation in 981 quadrats was measured for species richness, cover, densities, height, and biomass during the fire prescription period from 2009 through 2013. The study was divided into two treatment types: 1) Juniper cutting and pile burn; 2) Broadcast burn areas in open grasslands. Results of this study provide consistent examples of vegetative change and community movement towards positive response. Percent composition of overall vegetation is 5 – 30% with >50% of litter, bare ground and rock cover.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Relationships Between Plant Functional Traits and Environment in Grasslands
    GLOBAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PLANT FUNCTIONAL TRAITS AND ENVIRONMENT IN GRASSLANDS EMMA JARDINE A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Sheffield Department of Animal and Plant Sciences Submission Date July 2017 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First of all I am enormously thankful to Colin Osborne and Gavin Thomas for giving me the opportunity to undertake the research presented in this thesis. I really appreciate all their invaluable support, guidance and advice. They have helped me to grow in knowledge, skills and confidence and for this I am extremely grateful. I would like to thank the students and post docs in both the Osborne and Christin lab groups for their help, presentations and cake baking. In particular Marjorie Lundgren for teaching me to use the Licor, for insightful discussions and general support. Also Kimberly Simpson for all her firey contributions and Ruth Wade for her moral support and employment. Thanks goes to Dave Simpson, Maria Varontsova and Martin Xanthos for allowing me to work in the herbarium at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, for letting me destructively harvest from the specimens and taking me on a worldwide tour of grasses. I would also like to thank Caroline Lehman for her map, her useful comments and advice and also Elisabeth Forrestel and Gareth Hempson for their contributions. I would like to thank Brad Ripley for all of his help and time whilst I was in South Africa. Karmi Du Plessis and her family and Lavinia Perumal for their South African friendliness, warmth and generosity and also Sean Devonport for sharing all the much needed teas and dub.
    [Show full text]