The Effect Of Sun And Shade On Stomatal Density On White Oak, Quercus Alba

Similar information has been explored in different studies. A previous study conducted showed that trees with smaller DBHs and greater canopy coverage allowed for an increase in species richness (Rannius T 2000). Furthermore, researchers have found that saplings across different species like the sugar maple exhibit greater growth in open canopies than saplings that are in closed canopies (Canndam C. 1998). Although these studies are important, the relationship between canopy size and DBH is still yet to be explored. In response to this lack of knowledge, we have conducted a study to further explore this correlation. Our hypothesis is that the larger the DBH size, the greater the amount of canopy coverage in a given area for the tree being studied.

Plants are found everywhere on earth, up high on the ridge and down low in caves and caverns. The types of plants that live in these places depends on many factors. These factors are separated into two different categories, the biotic factors and the abiotic factors. Some of the biotic factors include, predation, competition, and habitat destruction. Plants with limited competition and large amounts of resources will be in a higher abundance than plants with limited resources and higher competition rates will be confined to areas and either out competed or will be the dominant species. Certain plants adapt to these factors and thrive and others don’t do as well. Some of the abiotic factors include, sunlight, water, temperature, and wind. These

Plants that are adapted to drier climates are called xerophytes (an example if these types of plants are cactus). Some of these plants have adapted small, thick leaves with a reduced surface area. They may also have a thickened cuticle to protect themselves from the environment. The stomata may be sunken into pits. Some xerophytes shed their leaves during the driest seasons and others can store water such as cacti. CAM plants uptake CO2 at night and change it into crassulacean acid that can be broken down during the day for sugars. These plants can close their stomata during the day.

Michael Pollan, author of The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s View of the World, addresses four major plant groups that have both changed for human needs and simultaneously changed human’s needs. While most gardeners, genetic engineers and other plant related professionals have long-believed that plants have evolved based on what we want or need to survive and in other words what we have “domesticated”, Pollan appeals to the plant’s view. Plants’ survival has been solely based on what humans desire both depending on their visual and stimulatory appeal along with their appeal to an appetite. Conversely, plants have used humans as a strategy for “getting us to move and think for them (page xx)”. Many plants have successfully maneuvered humans for

The Quercus Alba or commonly known as the white oak tree is a hardwood tree that is found in many areas around North America. The wood from this tree has been a very good building material and is used in projects from house building to small wood carpentry projects. Quercus Alba is a very tall tree that extends outward at the top making a very large canopy. Unlike its common name the white oak does not have whit bark. Its natural region extends from the eastern coast over the Appalachian Mountains and into the eastern part of Kansas.

According to the AS2870 (2011), it is found that ‘the water uptake by trees is mainly related to 9 elements, including 1) tree species; 2) tree health; 3) stage of growth; 4) total leaf area; 5) height; 6) root, trunk and branch mass; 7) soil type; 8) climate; and 9) tree water suction

The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollen uses examples of four plants including the apple ,tulip, marijuana, and the potato, to describe evolution and how mankind works to help plants reproduce. We are a slave to things of sweetness, beauty, intoxication, and control. These four things are described by the different plant chapters in the book. We as people are driven to these kind of things because of the product we get, we subconsciously are working to make these plants more fit and therefore helping in their reproduction and evolution. With each plant chapter Pollen goes into depth about its contribution to the world and history behind the plant within human evolution. By using the examples he provides in the book helps demonstrate the ideas of how these plants contribute to the human body systems, evolution and ecology. To further explain these topics I chose to explore the apple, tulip and cannabis plants.

An experiment by Matos tested the phenotypic plasticity to light availability in shade and sun leaves of coffee trees (Matos et al., 2009). Their research indicated that "compared [to] sun leaves, shade leaves had a lower stomatal density, a thinner palisade mesophyll, a

Even when cut down, the Sawtooth Oak has the characteristic of shooting from the stump and re-growing in 15 years, and

Triggers production of other hormones, particularly ethylene and ABA, leading to leaf, abscission, abnormal growth, growth inhibition, and cell death

Although native to southern Illinois, the rounded chestnut oak thrives throughout growing zones 4 through 8. It makes a welcome addition as a shade tree and is also suitable for sidewalks, yards, parks, and as a garden focal point. The V-shaped bark on the mature tree brings interest to gardens and sets it apart from other species. Related to the beech family, the deciduous tree’s fall foliage changes from red to orange to yellow before turning brown and shedding its leaves. Leaves are 4 to 6 inches long and serrated at its edges. This tree will also drop acorns ranging from 1 to 1 ½ inches long. The chestnut oak provides ornamental beauty, shade, and animal habitat to even the poorest of soil conditions. Invited

Water- Water is required in the photosynthetic reaction. When plants lack water, their stomata close to prevent further water loss. At the same time, closing the stomata cells doesn't allow CO2 to diffuse into the leaf. Water is also therefore, linked to the carbon dioxide factor.

     Plants are autotrophs that mean they are able to synthesize food directly from inorganic compounds, instead of relying on other organisms. They use carbon dioxide gas and water to produce sugars and oxygen

Our lab investigated the morphological characteristics of leaves found in the sun and shade on various species of maple and oak trees around campus. Our null hypothesis was Acer and Quercus acclimate similarly with regards to SLW (specific leaf weight), size, and sinuosity. Our hypothesis was Quercus acclimation is greater than Acer SLW, size, and sinuosity. We tested these hypotheses by picking small sections of a branches from both maple and oak trees. A group was assigned either a maple or an oak tree, and needed a total of three different trees per group. Once three different trees were chosen, groups needed three shade leaves and three sun leaves of off each different tree. In total, each group should then end up with 18 leaves for testing. After collecting the leaves, we ran them through the LiCor 3100 leaf area meter to identify the area of each leaf. Major results found by the classes’ mutual data was each one of our p-values were greater than .05. This means that we failed to reject the null hypothesis. Thus, the lab results do not support our hypothesis that Quercus acclimation is greater than Acer SLW, size, and sinuosity.

Other then being used for consumption, plants also provide shelter from the environment. Trees provide shade, which creates a cooler temperature that helps prevent dehydration. They also provide fruit and shelter for animals for human consumption. Trees are also cut up into wood for building houses and making tools needed for hunting and protection from predators. Humans have an advantage over animals because of our greater intelligence that permitted the discovery of tools. Without