Project Summary
(2007-10-16 - Current) This and other accompanying projects taking place throughout the state identify the degree to which climate change has impacted Vermont montane forests and how they are likely to respond in the future to continued warming. This project on Mount Mansfield aims to identify factors that are impeding this upslope shift by eliminating dispersal as a factor. In order to do this, species belonging to the Northern Hardwoods must be planted above where they are currently found. If they survive and out compete the boreal species then dispersal can be identified as a reason why the upslope shift is less than we’d expect. In order to see how future climate may affect this competitive balance we are also applying experimental treatments to the planted seedlings. |
