I would like to invite interested researchers to contribute to a graduate student project investigating intraspecific variation in plant functional traits across a North American latitudinal gradient. This study will quantify the extent of intraspecific variation present in five widespread exotic species, as well as determining whether the observed variation is due to acclimation to abiotic conditions or to local adaptation.
The species of interest are: - Poa pratensis - Bromus hordeaceus - Hypochaeris radicata - Plantago lanceolata - Rumex acetosella Species of interest should occur on unfertilized grasslands (urban grassland habitats are acceptable). It is not necessary that all species be present at a given site. Participants will be asked to measure simple functional traits in the field, collect seed samples, and take a few lab-based measurements (e.g. Specific Leaf Area). I estimate that participation would require approximately 14 hours of time (~8 hours of field collection for a single person, and up to 6 hours scanning time in the laboratory). Please contact Rachel M. Mitchell ([email protected]) for further information, including a detailed sampling protocol and datasheets. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and fully acknowledged in resulting publications. Thanks in advance!
