Introduction Subalpine meadows play a crucial role in species diversity, supporting many endangered species of plant and wildlife. Subalpine meadows play a crucial role in species diversity, supporting many endangered species of plant and wildlife. Subalpine meadows are found where temperatures are too cold or snow covers the ground for too long for trees to grow. Subalpine meadows are found where temperatures are too cold or snow covers the ground for too long for trees to grow.

Introduction Studies show that moisture gradients greatly affect the vegetation diversity. ‘Soil moisture is critically important for plant diversity patterns’ ( Moeslund et al: 2014) Studies show that moisture gradients greatly affect the vegetation diversity. ‘Soil moisture is critically important for plant diversity patterns’ (Moeslund et al: 2014) Mesic soils which are not oversaturated tend to be richer in nutrients and support greater plant diversity. (Fund et. Al: 2014) Mesic soils which are not oversaturated tend to be richer in nutrients and support greater plant diversity. (Fund et. Al: 2014)

Question Is there a difference in plant diversity within Xeric and Mesic sites of Elk Meadow?

Introduction H0: There is no difference in species diversity between Xeric and Mesic sites in Elk Meadow. H1: There is a difference between Xeric and Mesic site diversity in Elk Meadow. I expect to find greater diversity in the Mesic site. MesicXeric

Methods Analyze plant diversity across Xeric (Dry) and Mesic (Wet) landscapes located within Elk Meadow. Mesic Xeric The Elk Meadow (Google Earth 2014)

Methods Both Mesic and Xeric sites are located in the Elk Meadow in the sub alpine with 3% Slope 108 Degrees E at 2963 meters. 5 randomly selected 20 X 50 cm Daubenmire plots per site. Each individual species abundance. A soil sample and water content was taken at each site and rated on a 1-5 scale, dry being 1 and wet being 5. The observations are not representative of the entire subalpine zone on the Coloradan Front Range due to pseudo replication. The samples do however represent an accurate profile of the Elk Meadow.

Methods I used the Jaccard’s Index to quantify the similarities in species diversity between the areas. Student t-test was used to test differences in species diversity (Shannon- Wiener). Mann-Whitney rank sum was used to test for the Species Richness and Evenness differences.

Results 19 Species in total

Results

Results Jaccard’s Index: 0.42 Mesic Xeric 42% Similar

Discussion Species Richness and the Shannon Wiener Index are significantly higher in the Xeric areas of Elk Meadow. Species Richness and the Shannon Wiener Index are significantly higher in the Xeric areas of Elk Meadow. The Xeric site contained 11 Unique species of the total 19 species found at all sites. The Xeric site contained 11 Unique species of the total 19 species found at all sites. Evenness across the two sites were similar and not significantly different. Evenness across the two sites were similar and not significantly different. Jaccard’s index shows a large difference in diversity. Jaccard’s index shows a large difference in diversity. Observations indicate that productivity is higher in the Mesic areas given the visible biomass of species present. Observations indicate that productivity is higher in the Mesic areas given the visible biomass of species present.

Discussion Mesic areas tended to have great abundance of species which were there. ‘Shifts in plant species composition toward more diverse communities and toward communities characteristic of more xeric environments are also expected, further lowering productivity without a change in mean soil moisture.’ (Knapp et al: 2002) Further research looking at the biomass within the two sites including measuring species heights could shed light on the differences seen.

Conclusions The subalpine Elk Meadow is more diverse in species within Xeric areas than Mesic Areas. Although Xeric areas are more diverse in Elk Meadow, the productivity of the Mesic areas may be greater. Both Xeric and Mesic areas share similar Evenness. Further research should include measuring the heights and basal area of species.

Questions

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