EFFECTS OF WHOLE ECOSYSTEM WARMING ON CHILL ACCUMULATION AND COLD HARDINESS OF WOODY

The goal of this project is to leverage an existing whole ecosystem warming experiment (the Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments - SPRUCE) to increase our basic understanding of how plants will respond to warmer climates in what concerns winter physiology characteristics: dormancy and cold hardiness of buds. An enhanced understanding of this portion of woody perennials annual cycle will aid in predictions of dormant season responses and winter adaptation to future warmer climates. The specific objectives of this project are to:Evaluate the effects of whole ecosystem warming on cold hardiness of buds of woody perennials throughout three winter seasons.Evaluate the effects of whole ecosystem warming on chilling accumulation and bud dormancy of woody perennials throughout three winter seasons.Evaluate different chilling models in predicting the effects of measured temperatures in warming enclosures based on observed responses of plant samples.