¶ … ability of plants to respond to environmental factors such as soil temperatures. This paper examines the effects of arti-cially warmed environment using open-top chambers (OTCs). It investigates the effect of temperature changes on the growth of Dryas integrifolia. This is in light of the growing concern of the changing climatic weather condition more so in the cold climatic regions of the world. It hypothesizes the difference in growth of Dryas integrifolia exposed to OTC- treatment as compared to those in natural setting.
This study reveals that there is statistically significant difference in growth of Dryas integrifolia exposed to OTC- treatment as compared to those in natural setting. It gives a new view of the possibility that future change of climate might as well not be detrimental to the growth of natural vegetation in the arctic regions
Introduction
It is a scientific fact that plant development is subjected to environmental factors. Soil temperature is one of these important environmental factors that influence plant growth (Shaver et al., 2000). There is a growing corncern in global warming with climate expected to change drastically in the future leading to an impact on cold climate vegetation. Therefore, it is important to understanding how plants adopt to such environmental factors as an indicator future adoptations in regard to global warming. A mojor plant species worth examining is Dryas integrifolia. This is a native to the cold regions and mainly the arctic and alpine regions of Europe, Asia and North America. It is a low mat-forming undershrub with branches freely rooting, it is leaves are leathery evergreen (CYSIP: Botany, 2012). In this regard, a change in climatic conditions in the Arctic region is most likely impact plant distribution, abundance, and biodiversity (Callaghan et al., 2005). The study examines the impact of warming on the production of Dryas integrifolia.
Hypothesis
Study hypothesis; there is statistically significant difference in growth of Dryas integrifolia exposed to OTC- treatment as compared to those in natural setting. This is indicated by a difference in the;
1. First day a new leaf was observed
2. First day a mature flower was observed
3. First day a mature capsule was observed
4. First day a senescing leaf was observed
Review of the Literature
According to Hudson and partners, Arctic's cold climate greatly influences vital environmental aspects essential for plant life. These factors include air and soil temperatures, nutrient availability, as well as soil moisture. However, recently, there has been a steady increase in warmth in the region with the increase hypothesized to bring about adverse effects on tundra plants. Therefore, this study alleges that understanding the effects of environmental changes on plants is vital in predicting plant responses to climate change (Hudson, Henry, & Cornwell, 2010). As outlined by this article, the researchers artificially warmed three plant communities in Alexandra, Fiord, Nunavut and Canada as from 1992 and in each community; they used open-top chambers to warm the vegetation at temperatures between 1 to 21 degrees. During the experiment, the researchers investigated temperature effect on leaf size, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content, plant height, leaf carbon concentration, leaf nitrogen concentration, leaf carbon isotope discrimination (LCID), and leaf ? As well. Following the administration of the artificial warming techniques, the study group found out that long-term artificial warming affected some traits in the plant species studied. First, the evergreen shrub, Cassiope tetragona responded frequently having increased leaf size and plant height, decreased SLA, leaf carbon concentration, and LCID. Next was the deciduous shrub, Salix arctica which recorded increased leaf size and plant height, decreased SLA. In addition, the evergreen shrub, Dryas integrifolia had increased leaf size and plant height, decreased LCID. Fourth was the forb, Oxyria digyna which showed increased leaf size and plant height, while the sedge, Eriophorum angustifolium spp.triste only had decreased leaf carbon concentration. Despite the observed changes, it was realized that the artificial warming had no impact on both leaf nitrogen concentration and LDMC. Therefore from the study, the researchers concluded that plant growth was more sensitive to warming than leaf chemistry traits. Moreover, the article argues that tundra plants in the Arctic show multiple responses to warming such as taller shoots and larger leaves.
Fenner ascertains that timing of fruiting is essential in controlling abundance and variety of obligate frugivores in tropical ecosystems. Therefore, his study proposes that understanding plants phenology in these regions is vital in understanding plants' function and diversity (Fenner, 1998)....
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