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The Effect of Water Usage on Native Coastal Sage Scrub Plants

CSEF · 2017 Plant Biology Third Award

Anita Garg · University High School, Irvine, Orange County

Overview

Objectives/Goals The goal of the experiment was to understand how best to preserve and restore the native coastal sage scrub community. Methods/Materials Materials: 48 Salvia apiana plants, over 150 samples of Artemisia californica, Eriogonum fasciculatum, and Sonchus oleraceus, 10 Encelia californica plants, 10 Isocoma menziesii plants, Decagon leaf porometer, scientific oven, scientific scale, meterstick. Methods: I first tested the effect of two different seeding styles on the growth of Salvia apiana. Next, I tested the effect the effect of slope aspect on Artemisia californica, Eriogonum fasciculatum, and Sonchus oleraceus. Finally, I simulated a drought to test the drought tolerance of Encelia californica and Isocoma menziesii. Results For the first part of the project on seeding styles, the average height of the shrubs only group was 31.9% greater than the average height of the mixed group. However, the average stomatal conductance of the mixed group was 27% greater than that of the shrubs-only group. For the second part of the project on slope aspect, the only plant that had a higher SLA on the north-facing slope was Eriogonum fasciculatum. A possible reason why could be because south-facing slopes in this hemisphere receive less sunlight than north-facing slopes, and therefore plants that consume more water such as Sonchus oleraceus and Artemesia californica grow better on south-facing slopes than on north-facing slopes. For the dry down experiment, Encelia californica had many more dead leaves than Isocoma menziesii did. This could be tied to the fact that Encelia californica consumed an average of 84.25 grams more water than Isocoma menziesii did, which means it depletes it water source more quickly and therefore is less drought tolerant. Conclusions/Discussion A species# rate of water consumption is partially dependent on its nature to consume water and partially dependent on its environment. A species with a natural disposition to consume less water and with a more hospitable environment tends to exhibit greater growth than a species that consumes more water or that is placed in a less hospitable environment.

Summary statement

I created an action plan for future coastal sage scrub restoration projects based on the amount of water available.

Help received

I conducted the experiment and collected all data by myself. I was able to borrow the UCI CEB's porometer to take stomatal conductance measurements.

Awards (1)

Competition history

  • CSEF 2017 Plant Biology · Entry S1904

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