Research Initiatives...

The objective of the research study that we will now be conducting is to determine if the tree line is moving out into the tundra and to determine the causes for these actions if in fact they are occurring.

To do so the research team with whom I am working will be out in the field observing and quantifying the relative abundance and vegetative composition in the boreal forest and tundra arctic regions. We will be working up to as many as seven sites to evaluate tree structure using a point center quartered method, participating in seedling and sapling plot counts using destructive sampling techniques and whirl count techniques based on ascending growth, analyzing mature tree bores, conducting soil profiles, and detecting true seedlings.

We will be using a few instruments that are relatively new to me... tree borers, DBH tape, frost probes, and clinometers. The research though sounding a bit overwhelming is actually using techniques that are quite simple and practical. I fee that my background has given me enough knowledge to understand the methods and be an active participant out in the field.

Today we practiced using the instruments and methods in the yard around the research center before heading out into the field tomorrow.