Comparative Growth of the Spiked Fescue on a Northwest and a Southwest Facing Slope By Sam Humphrey July 18, 2013 Vegetation Ecology CU Mountain Research Center

Background to Hypothesis NW slopes are usually more moist than SW slopes NW slopes are usually more moist than SW slopes “Ervin and Koski (1998), in Colorado, concluded that water could be conserved on tall fescue while maintaining acceptable turfgrass quality” (Brown, et. al) “Ervin and Koski (1998), in Colorado, concluded that water could be conserved on tall fescue while maintaining acceptable turfgrass quality” (Brown, et. al) Spiked Fescue can still grow at a normal rate with less water than “normal” (Brown, et al) Spiked Fescue can still grow at a normal rate with less water than “normal” (Brown, et al) With more moisture, the Spiked Fescue should do better With more moisture, the Spiked Fescue should do better However, it should still do well on the dryer slope However, it should still do well on the dryer slope

My Hypothesis Does the Spiked Fescue ( Leucopoa kingii ) prefer a Northwest or Southwest facing slope? Does the Spiked Fescue ( Leucopoa kingii ) prefer a Northwest or Southwest facing slope? How prevalent is the Spiked Fescue throughout each community, as compared to other species? How prevalent is the Spiked Fescue throughout each community, as compared to other species?

Background about Betasso Site Foothills/Lower Montane Region Some dead trees and wood in site Grids were about 50 meters off-trail Site #1 – NW facing slope had no trees Site #2 – Shown in Picture SW facing slopes are usually more moist than NW facing slopes

Setup Pseudo-replication (only tested in one specific area) Pseudo-replication (only tested in one specific area) Set up 100x100 meter grid on both slopes Set up 100x100 meter grid on both slopes Got 15 random coordinates for both grids Got 15 random coordinates for both grids Plot out each Daubenmire Plot out each Daubenmire Recorded Species, % Cover, # of Individuals, Height, Moisture Content, Litter Layer, and Soil Quality Recorded Species, % Cover, # of Individuals, Height, Moisture Content, Litter Layer, and Soil Quality

Site #1 and Site #2 Findings and Results Spiked Fescue is most frequent and dominant species Spiked Fescue is most frequent and dominant species Average Height of Spiked Fescue: 35 cm Average Height of Spiked Fescue: 35 cm Needle & Thread Grass ( Hesperostipa comata ) is slightly more common than Spiked Fescue Needle & Thread Grass ( Hesperostipa comata ) is slightly more common than Spiked Fescue Average Height of Spiked Fescue: 39 cm Average Height of Spiked Fescue: 39 cm

Data Spiked Fescue most dense species, then Needle & Thread Grass, and third White Sage Spiked Fescue most dense species, then Needle & Thread Grass, and third White Sage

Even More Data Site #1 vs. Site #2 # of IndividualsJaccard Index Common:11 Total: % Site #2:Shannon Wiener Index Evenness Site #1:Shannon Wiener Index Evenness These slopes had very similar communities These slopes had very similar communities This site was pretty even, besides the large amount of Fescue This site was pretty even, besides the large amount of Fescue This site had a more even distribution, not weighted on Fescue This site had a more even distribution, not weighted on Fescue

More Data Site #1 was covered mostly with Spiked Fescue Site #1 was covered mostly with Spiked Fescue Site #2 seemed to have a more even distribution of vegetation Site #2 seemed to have a more even distribution of vegetation ANOVA Source of VariationSSdfMSFP-valueF crit Sites Species Interaction Within Total P-Value for Interaction of means the pattern is not significant P-Value for Interaction of means the pattern is not significant

Results The Spiked Fescue had similar average height on both slopes The Spiked Fescue had similar average height on both slopes Spiked Fescue had a higher frequency and density on the Northwest facing slope Spiked Fescue had a higher frequency and density on the Northwest facing slope The Southwest facing slope had fewer species, but the present species were more evenly distributed than on the Northwest facing slope The Southwest facing slope had fewer species, but the present species were more evenly distributed than on the Northwest facing slope

Conclusion The pattern of species on either slopes was not significant. The pattern of species on either slopes was not significant. A pattern seemed to be emerging A pattern seemed to be emerging With more tests and data, there may actually be one With more tests and data, there may actually be one More in-depth data about the Spiked Fescue is required to understand how it relates to the community and surrounding species More in-depth data about the Spiked Fescue is required to understand how it relates to the community and surrounding species Deficit Irrigation Study Deficit Irrigation Study Other studies about the Fescue’s growth and success in the montane community Other studies about the Fescue’s growth and success in the montane community

Reference Brown, C.A., D.A. Devitt, and R.L. Morris. "Water Use and Physiological Response of Tall Fescue Turf to Water Deficit Irrigation in an Arid Environment." HortScience 39.2 (2004): Web.. Brown, C.A., D.A. Devitt, and R.L. Morris. "Water Use and Physiological Response of Tall Fescue Turf to Water Deficit Irrigation in an Arid Environment." HortScience 39.2 (2004): Web..