WMRS-GLORIAplanning workshop, May 22 2006:

Long term monitoring of Alpine Environments in the White Mountains.

Update on WMRS-GLORIA

The GLORIA (Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments: project is a worldwide initiative to monitor climate effects on alpine peaks. In collaboration with the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station and the California Native Plant Society, the University of California White Mountain Research Station established GLORIA monitoring sites on four summits in the White Mountains of Eastern California in August 2004 and three summits in 2005. The 2004 summits are composed of granitic and metavolcanic rock, and range from 3240 m to 4285 m in elevation; the 2005 summits are composed of carbonate (dolomite and limestone) rock and range from 3478 m to 3735 m in elevation.

In accordance with the GLORIA sampling design each summit was divided into 8 Summit Area Sections based on aspect (N, S, E, W) and vertical drop from summit (summit to 5 m down; 5 m down to 10 m down). We also added 10 m x 10 m fixed area plots in the three summits sampled in 2005. Dataloggers were buried to measure soil temperature and we recorded baseline data on plant species composition, cover, and frequency in each Summit Area Section. Several methods were used for cover estimates: for relatively abundant species, ocular estimates were made; for low-cover species the number of plants were estimated and an average area for each plant was estimated -- these data were used to estimate total area covered, which was converted to percent cover; point intercept transects were also run to help adjust estimates.

Monitoring plots will be re-located and measurements will be repeated every five years in perpetuity. In 2005 we also gathered data regarding soil biota and butterfly abundance in the general vicinity of the GLORIA summits, and discussed expanding sampling to include many other aspects of the alpine ecosystem (see list below). Under the umbrella of the international GLORIA organization, these extensions qualify the White Mountain GLORIAeffort to be a GLORIA “Master Site.”

Funding to date: GLORIA is primarily a volunteer effort by professional, graduate student and skilled amateur scientists. Logistics planning and overall direction were provided by CalFlora botanist Ann Dennis, supplemented by WMRS’ Daniel Pritchett and USFS’ Connie Millar. The White Mountain Research Station and the USFS Pacific Southwest Experiment Station contributed funds for partial staff support, including Ann Dennis and others, and those two plus other organizations contributed staff time, materials, and other forms of support.

WMRS direct funds: $5000 each summer, in 2004 and 2005 (plus cost of dataloggers in 2005)

USFS direct funds to project: approximately $15000 in 2004 and $X in 2005 (for data entry and other costs)

List of GLORIA-related projects and proposals:

  • Temporal and spatial scales of temperature pattern in an alpine fellfield ecosystem – Phil Rundel (UCLA-CENS)
  • Geomorphic Monitoring of Periglacial ActivitynearWhite Mountain Research Station GLORIA Sites- Forrest Wilkerson and Ginger Schmid (MinnesotaStateUniversity)
  • Annual Butterfly Counts: vegetation change and flowering phenology John Smiley (WMRS)
  • The effects of climate change on the hibernation of ground squirrelsCraig Frank (FordhamUniversity)
  • Resurvey of historic Joseph Grinnell survey, and other vertebrate sampling – Jim Patton (UCB)
  • Geobotany and Remote Sensing of the White-Inyo Range - Gary Ernst, Stuart Weiss (StanfordUniv.)and Chris Van de Van
  • Bristlecone pine recruitment since 1900 and its correlation with the middle of the Holocene line using image analysis, Linah Ababneh (WMRS-volunteer)
  • GLORIA-WMRS web site - John Smiley and Daniel Pritchett (WMRS)
  • Mountain Climate Reference Network (MCRN), including soil moisture sensors at Barcroft and Crooked Creek – Mark Losleben (Mountain Research Station)
  • High-elevation forest response to 21st century climate change (= demography at low, mid, and high elevation of limber and bristlecone pine in the general region of the GLORIA sites).Connie Millar
  • We have also been doing paleoecologic studies on limber pine at the north end of the range (Trail Cyn, Middle Cr), evaluating historic elevation and aspect shifts of pine to past climates -- I'm not sure if that counts as a GLORIA-related project as it's distant from the main plateau.Connie Millar
  • Permafrost and periglacial processes Connie Millar
  • Jessica Greene (UC Merced) soils project (name?)
  • Biogeographic history, climate change, and conservation of high altitude endemic insects in the Sierra Nevada and WhiteinyoRanges. Sean Schoville (UC Berkeley)
  • Add to list…post on web site.

GLORIA time line, next 10 years

  • 2004 survey 4 summits; GLORIA week early August
  • 2005 survey 3 summits, GLORIA week mid August
  • 2006 open; GLORIA field week July 23-29
  • 2007 replace 2004 dataloggers;
  • 2008 replace 2005 dataloggers;
  • 2009 resurvey 2004 sites
  • 2010 resurvey 2005 sites; replace 2007 dataloggers
  • 2011 replace 2008 dataloggers;
  • 2012 open
  • 2013 replace 2010 dataloggers;
  • 2014 resurvey 2004 sites, replace 2011 dataloggers
  • 2015 resurvey 2005 sites
  • 2016 replace 2013 dataloggers

So long as 3-year dataloggers are used, GLORIA sites will require some action 5 years out of every six! Can we re-tool the loggers to 5-year intervals?

GLORIA planning workshop Goals and Preliminary Agenda

Goal 1: create plan for summer 2006 GLORIA week at Crooked Creek

Ideas and questions for discussion

  • Monitor population of an alpine endemic (such as Polemonium chartaceum on slopes of White MountainPeak)
  • Monitor a well-defined boundary (abrupt ecotone) between plant communities
  • Monitor in non-summit environments (meadows, flats, side slopes etc…)
  • Establish and walk transects for documenting treeline change
  • Monitor to test Stanford predictions regarding change in species ranges
  • Meet after dinner to discuss results
  • Which is first night of field week? (date)
  • Other suggestions….

Goal 2: develop a strategy for advancing the “Long Term Monitoring Of High Altitude Environments in the White Mountains (GLORIA Master Site project)”

Ideas and questions for discussion

  • Integration of diverse types of monitoring
  • Identify climate-indicator plants
  • Funding opportunities?
  • Grad student(s) support and involvement
  • WMRS-GLORIA network and web site, how can it better support diverse projects?
  • GLORIA field week – evaluate, identify potential improvements
  • Should we convene a conference or symposium?
  • 5 year dataloggers!
  • McAfee Meadow vegetation data should we look at it?
  • WMRS data repository
  • Beatty air photos and other INF air photos
  • Improvements to existing GLORIA summit baseline data, e.g. additional sampling, documentation

Preliminary agenda for May 22

Please comment if you have suggestions:

9 amintroductions

9:15review current status of WMRS-GLORIA – new map

9:45short presentations by participants (optional, no more than 10 minutes each) summarizing what they have done or would like to do (Stanford, Craig Frank, butterflies (Smiley), Holmquist bugs; Linah Ababneh, Wilkerson powerpoint (Smiley), Millar…etc??)

11:00Discussions pertaining to goal 1: prioritize default list of ideas for 2006

12:00lunch WMRS will provide

1:00 Discussions pertaining to goal 2: the future of WMRS-GLORIA

3:00 Break

3:15Revisit 2006 priority list in light of goal 2 discussion; discuss anything else

6 pmdinnerat station for those who stay (but please let us know in advance if you will be staying for dinner.)

Participant List as of 5/3/06

John Smiley

Daniel Pritchett

Denise Waterbury

Connie Millar

Ann Dennis*

Craig Frank*

Jim Bishop*

Catie Bishop*

Linah Ababneh

Angela Jayko

Stuart Weiss*

Chris Vandeven*

Gary Ernst**

Derham Giuliani

Frank Powell

Sheauchi Cheng**

Jeff Holmquist

Bob Westfall

* signed up for spending Sunday night at the station

** last minute cancellation

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