VERMONT AGRICULTURAL
EXPERIMENT STATION AND UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT EXTENSION
Annual Report 2016
Program Goal Area: Climate Change
Collaborative Research: Digitization TCN: Mobilizing New England Vascular Plant Specimen Data to Track Environmental Changes
Barrington, David
We are making the Pringle Herbarium’s collections available as research and teaching resources to the University, the State, and beyond, for those interested in conservation biology, biodiversity studies, and regional history.
Collaborative Research: Digitization TCN: The Macroalgal Herbarium Consortium: Accessing 150 Years of Specimen Data to Understand Changes in the Marine / Aquatic Environment
Barrington, David
The Pringle Herbarium has joined the Macroalgal Herbarium Consortium (MHC), a network of 48 U.S. institutions with an initiative to access 150 years of specimen data to understand changes in the marine/aquatic environment.
CSBR: Natural History: Launching the University of Vermont Natural History Museum Step One: Securing the Collections
Barrington, David
This grant funds complete replacement of collection cabinets and development of on-line information and images for the Univ. of Vermont Natural History Museum, enhancing Vermonters’ access to biodiversity information for conservation and research.
Digitization PEN: Partnership to Existing Macrofungi Collection Consortium - Digitization of an Important Regional Collection of Macrofungi at the Pringle Herbarium
Barrington, David
This funding allows us to provide data on the macrofungi accessions at the University’s Pringle Herbarium to the Macrofungi Consortium, whose goal is to improve understanding of fungal biotic interactions, nutrient-cycling and impact on human affairs
REVSYS: Systematics of Paleotropical Grammitid Ferns (Polypodiaceae): Using Phylogenies to Generic Circumscriptions and Explore the Evolution of Morphological Characters
Barrington, David
The proposed research will conduct new molecular and morphological analyses of the Paleotropical grammitid ferns to elucidate their evolutionary history. Resulting hypotheses of relationships will be used to elucidate generic boundaries, defining genera by discrete morphological characters.
Genetic variation in relation to ecogeographic distribution in the fiddlehead fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris, Onocleaceae)
Barrington, David
This grant funds our goal to further improve our knowledge of genetic variation in the fiddlehead fern, a Vermont non-timber forest product, for relating product quality to source in the landscape and assessing susceptibility to harvesting impact
Developing the US National Virtual Herbarium
Barrington, David
Implement web sharing of the extensive plant-information resources of the Pringle Herbarium in coordination with the development of the Unites States Virtual Herbarium
Linking Models to Data to Investigate Patterns and Process in Savannas
Beckage, Brian
We are examining the processes that structure savanna communities across a wide range of ecological environments worldwide. Understanding savanna responses to anthropogenic perturbations is of broad significance as savannas comprise an eighth of the global land surface, provide essential ecological services, and are important reservoirs of biodiversity. General models of the relationship between vegetation and fire should also be broadly applicable to ecological restoration and management of ecological communities.
Uncertainty in climate change projections and forecasting the future of Vermont forests
Beckage, Brian
Global climate is in the midst of rapid change associated with increasing concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases. Climate change is expected to shift the distribution and composition of forests across Vermont, but the nature and magnitude of forest change is uncertain. We will assess the uncertainty in projected forest change and sensitivity of projections across a set of projected future climates and spatial resolutions. Our project will result in improved forecasts of climate change impacts on Vermont forests and a better understanding of climate uncertainty and spatial scale on forest projections.
Collaborate with the University of Vermont to Establish Accurate K Factors for High Clay Content Soils, Specifically the Vergennes Soil Series and Similar Soils
Gorres, Josef
This project addresses uncertainty about the erodibility of one of the major agricultural soils in Vermont. The work will inform NRCS personnel and land managers on conservation practices needed to prevent erosion from these soils, and thus phosphorus loading to Lake Champlain.
Integrity and functioning of forested buffer strips and saturation of hardwood forests after earthworm invasions during climate change
Gorres, Josef
This project addresses whether buffer strips designed to mitigate agricultural runoff are still functioning when they are invaded by earthworms from Asia and Europe. It also characterizes earthworm communities in buffer strips and other forested land in Vermont. The data generated will be useful to watershed managers and other environmental decision makers
Exploring the use of bokashi as a soil fertility amendment in Northeastern vegetable production systems
Gorres, Josef
Bokashi is a relatively new tool for composting organic wastes in the US. Here, it is primarily used for composting foodwaste. The audience for this project are small farms, community gardens and home owners. The project should be seen in the context of Act 150 which mandates universal repurposing of organic wastes.
Climate Change Best Management Practices on Vermont Farms
Hurley, Stephanie
This research explores the use of participatory approaches and landscape visualizations for stakeholder engagement about retrofitting VT farms with designs for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Combining Genomics, Remote Sensing, and Geospatial Modeling to Understand Adaptation to Growing Season Length in Balsam Poplar
Keller, Stephen
We are researching the genetic basis of how forest trees adapt to climate change, using tools form molecular biology combined with field experiments.
From Genes to Ecosystems: Integrating Measures of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Within Urbanizing Bay Watersheds
Keller, Stephen
This project uses molecular tools to assess how microbial communities respond to differences in stream water quality, with broad implications for watersheds across the country.
Genomic analysis of climate change responses in northeastern red spruce forests
Keller, Stephen
We are studying adaptation of red spruce trees across elevational gradients in the Green Mountains, and response of the boreal spruce-fir forest to climate change.
Understanding the Role of Population Genetic Structure and Population Dynamics in the Invasion of Knapweeds
Molofsky, Jane
Land owners and natural resource managers will be able to determine what invasive knapweed populations they have on their land and whether the populations are likely spreading to other areas.
The role of hybridization on the emergence of a new invasive weed: A case study with Centaurea sp. Complex in northeastern North America
Molofsky, Jane
The project will identify if hybridization of different knapweed species is causing the increase in invasive knapweed in Vermont
Implementing California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act: Farmer Perceptions and the Balance of Groundwater and Economic Sustainability
Niles, Meredith
Project relevant to farmers and policymakers related to understanding sustainable groundwater and drought management.
Evolutionary Genetics of Vernalization Responsiveness in the Temperate Grass Subfamily Pooideae
Preston, Jill
This project is intended to inform a broad scientific community as to how temperate grasses have evolved in response global climate change.
Genomic comparison of freezing and drought stress responses across the temperate cereal grass clade Pooideae
Preston, Jill
This project aims to determine the conserved and unique genetic bases for stress responses across Vermont crop and wild species of temperate grass.
Multistate Research Coordination Northeastern Region
Ross, Donald
Analysis of soils from different land uses and adjacent streambanks will characterize soil organic phosphorus and its bioavailability to algae if eroded.