What Trees Could Learn from Alan Greenspan

Stephen Soerens

Advisor: Adam Wolf

Princeton Environmental Institute (PEI)

Why do we care about trees?

Forests are essential to the climate system – how will forests react to climate change?

Competition – Must outgrow and outlast neighbors to survive

Risk Management – Photosynthesis vs. Cavitation

Mechanisms of reaction and adaptation

Driving Questions

Why is this plant and not another plant in this location?

When does a plant no longer act in its best interest? - when does it lose to its competitors?

What plant will be here in _____ years?

Methods

How much water is the leaf pulling and how much is it evaporating?

Evaporative Flow Meter (Pressure Differential)

LI-COR Portable Photosynthesis System (gas exchange differential of CO2 and H2O)