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ABSTRACT
Global warming causes many changes in weather patterns including greater temperature variability and more extreme temperatures. In this study we examined the damage and recovery in Aesculus glabra (Ohio buckeye) in Trelease Woods after a late frost in the spring of 2007, potentially caused by global warming. 1) If temperature and wind gradients directly affect the pattern of damage and recovery of Ohio buckeye, then as the distance of Ohio buckeye from the forest edge increases the percent leaf damage done by frost will decrease. 2) If the total leaf area available for photosynthesis in an Ohio buckeye directly affects its recovery from frost damage, then as percent leaf damage increases, recovery (based on percent canopy fullness, growth from 2007, and percent healthy buds) will decrease. Damage and recovery was measured in 160 sub-canopy Ohio buckeye trees in four transects in Trelease Woods. Percent leaf damage in Ohio buckeye decreased as distance from forest edge increased. Percent canopy fullness decreased as leaf damage increased, mean growth from 2007 was not affected by leaf damage, and percent healthy buds decreased as percent leaf damage increased. These results show that the amount of leaf damage done by a late frost is related to the distance from the forest edge and that the subsequent recovery is also affected by the amount of leaf damage.
INTRODUCTION
Global warming causes increased variability and more extremes in temperature, which can cause damage to trees and change their phenology. Houle (2007) found that trees flowered 2-6 days earlier in 2000 than they did in 1900, indicating that global warming is impacting the phenology of plants. This can affect plants by altering their growing seasons, which may have unknown impacts on the plants. Increased temperatures linked to global warming have also been associated with decreased frost resistance, which can lead to an increased amount of damage to trees’ buds...