Juniper growth patterns

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

Fall 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Juniper trees are abundant in the DePauw Nature Park. The trees look different in different locations within the park, depending on the soil quality and exposure to environmental conditions. The purpose of our study was to describe the ways juniper trees grow based on their location.

Hypotheses
We hypothesized that juniper trees measured near the Manning Field Station would be taller and larger in circumference. We hypothesized that juniper trees in the Quarry Bottom would be shorter and smaller in circumference due to soil conditions and exposure.

Methods
We selected five sites: Manning Field Station, Quarry Bottom, North Cover, West Cover, and South Cover. At each site, we measured circumference and height of 20 juniper trees.

Results and Discussion
Juniper trees were significantly taller at the Manning Field Station; intermediate in height at North Cover, West Cover, and South Cover; and shortest in the Quarry Bottom. The circumference of juniper trees was largest at the Manning Field Station and smallest in the Quarry Bottom. We conclude that several factors affect tree growth within each site: sunlight, soil, competition, and availability of resources.

Comments

Completed as part of Professor Dana Dudle's Ecology class, BIO 342, Biology Department, DePauw University Fall semester 2014

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