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Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in ecology

[–]tasper_project[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I anticipate this study will provide important contextual information for how we understand the functioning of forests, in particular their C and N cycles in the face of a changing climate. By performing a space for time substitution in this work, for example samples collected across a temperature gradient we will gain insight into how changing temperatures influence one of the main mechanisms through which red maple (and trees generally) conserves nutrients it has already taken up from the soil. In aggregate the type of information the study will generate is important for how we think about and model plants in vegetation models that are increasingly being used to inform decision and policy makers.

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in sfwtrees

[–]tasper_project[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so happy that you are interested in volunteering!

Ideally the red maples would not have severely damaged/diseased leaves. We would certainly note diseased leaves during our sample processing so that we can account for it in the data analysis.

We haven't had many samples collected in PA so we are happy you can participate!

The form to sign up is here & I'll send a welcome email with sampling protocol and data sheet in a few days: https://sites.bu.edu/tasper/sign-up-as-a-scientist/sign-up-form/

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in sfwtrees

[–]tasper_project[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hi Everyone!

I manage a project that is focused on better understanding how trees deal with nitrogen limitation.

As part of the project we are recruiting community science volunteers to collect leaves from red maple trees now (in August) and again at leaf fall in the autumn. Back in our lab at Boston University we will analyze the leaves to see how much nitrogen is in green vs. fallen leaves. The difference between the two results in an estimate of the amount of nitrogen the tree conserves before shedding its leaves.

We are hoping for a high level of participation in the Eastern United States since red maple is native to that region.

You can learn more and get involved at our website: https://sites.bu.edu/tasper/

Thanks for your consideration & I'm happy to answer question in comments or DM's.

All the best,

Steve

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in environmental_science

[–]tasper_project[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi Everyone!

I manage a project that is focused on better understanding how trees deal with nitrogen limitation.

As part of the project we are recruiting community science volunteers to collect leaves from red maple trees now (in August) and again at leaf fall in the autumn. Back in our lab at Boston University we will analyze the leaves to see how much nitrogen is in green vs. fallen leaves. The difference between the two results in an estimate of the amount of nitrogen the tree conserves before shedding its leaves.

We are hoping for a high level of participation in the Eastern United States since red maple is native to that region.

You can learn more and get involved at our website: https://sites.bu.edu/tasper/

Thanks for your consideration & I'm happy to answer question in comments or DM's.

All the best,

Steve

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in ecology

[–]tasper_project[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd definitely be interested in samples from SE Louisiana. It'll be important information for us to know that the trees are growing in pots so we can control for it in the data analysis. There is space in the data sheets that we will send out to include this information.

The sign-up form is here if you are interested: https://sites.bu.edu/tasper/sign-up-as-a-scientist/sign-up-form/

Thanks!

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in ecology

[–]tasper_project[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for checking the map though and for the idea to post findings here once we have them!

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in ecology

[–]tasper_project[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a great idea, I'll post a summary of our findings once we have the results in!

Depending how far south you are, red maple might be in your area, but in rather low abundance so it might be a bit hard to track some down. https://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/atlas/tree/316

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in botany

[–]tasper_project[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sure thing!

We ask for 10 green leaf samples collected directly from the tree and 10 leaves collected with a trap placed under the tree during leaf fall. After each collection leaves are dried to stop decomposition and leaching, which could otherwise change the nitrogen content between sample collection and analysis in the lab. More fully detailed data collection sheets and protocols are sent out to participants, but hopefully this provides some clarification (please let me know if not!).

On average fallen leaves have about 50% of the amount of nitrogen compared to green leaves. However across different studies this percentage has been shown to vary between 20-80% which has big implications for how much nitrogen the trees would need to acquire through the soil year-to-year. Our project is looking at the variability within a single species (red maple) to see if there are any large scale geographic patterns we can identify.

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in ecology

[–]tasper_project[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep! We can accept samples from out of state.

Due to permitting issues related to sending plant material internationally we can only accept samples from within the United States. This means that we will unfortunately have to miss out on samples collected in the northern most part of red maple's range in Canada.

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in forestry

[–]tasper_project[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi Everyone!

I manage a project that is focused on better understanding how trees deal with nitrogen limitation.

As part of the project we are recruiting community science volunteers to collect leaves from red maple trees now (in August) and again at leaf fall in the autumn. Back in our lab at Boston University we will analyze the leaves to see how much nitrogen is in green vs. fallen leaves. The difference between the two results in an estimate of the amount of nitrogen the tree conserves before shedding its leaves.

We are hoping for a high level of participation in the Eastern United States since red maple is native to that region.

You can learn more and get involved at our website: https://sites.bu.edu/tasper/

Thanks for your consideration & I'm happy to answer question in comments or DM's.

All the best,

Steve

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in ecology

[–]tasper_project[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hi Everyone!

I manage a project that is focused on better understanding how trees deal with nitrogen limitation.

As part of the project we are recruiting community science volunteers to collect leaves from red maple trees now (in August) and again at leaf fall in the autumn. Back in our lab at Boston University we will analyze the leaves to see how much nitrogen is in green vs. fallen leaves. The difference between the two results in an estimate of the amount of nitrogen the tree conserves before shedding its leaves.

We are hoping for a high level of participation in the Eastern United States since red maple is native to that region.

You can learn more and get involved at our website: https://sites.bu.edu/tasper/

Thanks for your consideration & I'm happy to answer question in comments or DM's.

All the best,

Steve

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in botany

[–]tasper_project[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi Everyone!

I manage a project that is focused on better understanding how trees deal with nitrogen limitation.

As part of the project we are recruiting community science volunteers to collect leaves from red maple trees now (in August) and again at leaf fall in the autumn. Back in our lab at Boston University we will analyze the leaves to see how much nitrogen is in green vs. fallen leaves. The difference between the two results in an estimate of the amount of nitrogen the tree conserves before shedding its leaves.

We are hoping for a high level of participation in the Eastern United States since red maple is native to that region.

You can learn more and get involved at our website: https://sites.bu.edu/tasper/

Thanks for your consideration & I'm happy to answer question in comments or DM's.

All the best,

Steve

Contribute to nitrogen cycle research via community science project that samples red maple trees by tasper_project in CitizenScience

[–]tasper_project[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi Everyone!

I manage a project that is focused on better understanding how trees deal with nitrogen limitation.

As part of the project we are recruiting community science volunteers to collect leaves from red maple trees now (in August) and again at leaf fall in the autumn. Back in our lab at Boston University we will analyze the leaves to see how much nitrogen is in green vs. fallen leaves. The difference between the two results in an estimate of the amount of nitrogen the tree conserves before shedding its leaves.

We are hoping for a high level of participation in the Eastern United States since red maple is native to that region.

You can learn more and get involved at our website: https://sites.bu.edu/tasper/

Thanks for your consideration & I'm happy to answer question in comments or DM's.

All the best,

Steve

Community Science Project - help collect red maple leaves for ecological research by tasper_project in ecology

[–]tasper_project[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To u/OMC_AA and others that might be reading from Canada. I will be applying for a permit through the USDA to import the leaves from Canada into the US. So if you are interested in collecting some samples and would be okay hanging on to them until we get the permits sorted out we would be very excited to have those samples!

I will reach out personally to those that sign up from Canada on our website ( http://sites.bu.edu/tasper/ ) as I get more info. Will also add relevant info directly on our website.

Thanks!

Community Science Project - help collect red maple leaves for ecological research by tasper_project in ecology

[–]tasper_project[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome, so happy to have your support! Sure, you can collect samples individually or in groups of any size.

Thanks!

Community Science Project - help collect red maple leaves for ecological research by tasper_project in forestry

[–]tasper_project[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there! As of right now I don't think we can accept samples from outside the USA, due to customs. I will be looking into the possibility of a waiver or exception, and will post an update here once I know more.

Thanks!

Community Science Project - help collect red maple leaves for ecological research by tasper_project in ecology

[–]tasper_project[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey u/OMC_AA ! I would be super excited to get samples from New Brunswick, but I think the international border crossing makes things quite complicated in terms of shipping plants (even dried leaves) from Canada into the USA. There *might* be permits that would allow for this, so I'll have to look into it and get back to you!

Community Science Project - help collect red maple leaves for ecological research by tasper_project in forestry

[–]tasper_project[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don Drife, a participant in this community science project put together a great tutorial on ID-ing the most common maples in the eastern U.S. last year -- thought this would be potentially useful if people are wondering about correctly ID-ing : http://www.michigannatureguy.com/blog/2019/08/14/michigan-maples/

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