Primary tabs

University of Michigan Biological Station

The University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) was founded in 1909.

Social

Ecosystems in Four Dimensions: Measuring Changes to Forest Structure and Function in the Anthropocene

Spatial Data
Terrestrial
Vegetation
Project Abstract: 
Fine-resolution and high-fidelity imaging spectroscopy (IS) and LiDAR data from the NEON Airborne Observation Platform offer an unprecedented opportunity to study ecosystem productivity across three-dimensional space and through time. We hypothesize that ecosystem productivity is regulated by the structural and functional diversity of plants in these four-dimensions and that a novel combination of IS, LiDAR, and field sampling, combined with statistical, physical, and biological models, can produce a robust new approach to mapping canopy functional traits in 3-D, while projecting canopy function through time. This research will provide a critical link between remotely sensed data products and the carbon cycle by scaling ecosystem processes from local to region scales and by improving our understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution of carbon sinks and fluxes in closed canopy forests. These outcomes will help broadly improve our understanding of the carbon cycle as a whole and help accurately predict current and future productivity in global ecosystem models. This project is dependent on a NEON AOP collection over UMBS, which is currently on the NEON AOP flight schedule for July 1-3 (though those dates are subject to change) and will only occur if funds are made available through the NSF via a supplemental funding request that is currently pending at NSF.
Investigator(s): 
Kyla M Dahlin
Status of Research Project: 
Active
Years Active: 
2018 to 2022
Research sites: 
UMBS Station
UMBS AmeriFlux Tower
UMBS FASET Tower
Methods: 
Researchers will collect 15-20 samples of small branches with leaves (<l .0 cm diameter branches at the widest point) from each of the 10 approximately most common species in the area around the FASET & Ameriflux flux towers, as well as within the historical burn plots, and in or near the FASET2.0 plots (250-300 samples total). Samples will be collected using a combination of very tall pole pruners, a large slingshot (Big Shot), and an APTA air powered line launcher (www.treestuff.com) plus rope and chain used to pull down small branches with leaves attached. All samples will be used up in analysis or discarded at the end of 2022. Hemispherical photographs (hemiphotos) will also be collected throughout the study region as access allows. Hemiphoto and leaf collection sites will be selected to avoid any/all other ongoing research projects at the site. The sampling focus for the leaf collections is to be as close to the flux towers as practicable, while the sampling goal for the hemiphotos is to collect a good representative sample of the site. Minimal impact to vegetation on the property with removal of small branches with several leaves (total sample would be no longer than a meter, typically much less). Our goal is to collect twigs <1 cm in diameter, however, on occasion due to the structure of the tree canopy and/or tensile strength of the wood we have collected branches up to 3 cm in diameter, though then the bulk of the branch is left on site. There would be no research structure brought to the property. All equipment will be carried in via backpack to the sampling location and will be laid out on a small 4x4 foot tarp. In regards to the the sound-scape, we will be driving to the collection location, parking the vehicle, and then walking to the collection location. Noise would include small branches falling during removal. The APTA line launcher is remarkably quiet - approximately as loud as the air puff sound made when you detach a bike pump from a bike tire (see https://www.instagram.com/p/BmypHsBHkb1/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet for demo videos from our lab).
Funding agency: 
National Science Foundation