T240 Critical Zone Science—Bio-Geo Interactions across Environmental Gradients and Time

Wednesday, 7 November 2018
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 134

VEGETATION STRESS IN RELATION TO ELEVATED DIFFUSE CO2 AREAS AT MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, CA

Paper number: T240-10
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Authors

Abstract

Elevated diffuse soil CO2 flux related to magmatic degassing processes has stressed vegetation in several areas at Mammoth Mountain in the Eastern Sierra region of California. At Horseshoe Lake, sustained elevated CO2 release has produced large areas of dead trees which were first observed in 1990. In this study we assessed the relationship of vegetation health and elevated CO2 by comparing the chlorophyll index (an indicator of chlorophyll concentration) in living pine trees in relation to CO2 flux in the Horseshoe Lake tree kill area. Based on measured soil values, diffuse CO2 flux continues to be elevated, even in areas where pine trees are still living. Trees on the edge of the tree kill area appeared healthy; however, our analysis has shown that the chlorophyll index for all of the trees was much lower compared to similar trees outside of the tree kill area. Past aerial photos of Horseshoe Lake and chlorophyll index readings were then used to specifically investigate how vegetation in the tree kill area has changed over the past 20 years. Overall, the Horseshoe Lake tree kill area provides a natural laboratory to observe how vegetation might respond to elevated CO2 levels.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 50, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2018AM-322761

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