This dataset includes groundwater geochemistry data from floodplain piezometers collected as a part of the Watershed Function Scientific Focus Area (SFA) located in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The data were collected in order to investigate the role of hyporheic exchange and other river corridor

The purpose of this package is to monitor energy and water fluxes using a comprehensive set of sensors integrated on a tripod set up at 4 locations at the East River watershed in Colorado in the Upper Colorado River Basin as part of the Scientific Focus Area (SFA) research led by the Lawrence Berkel

This dataset includes Quality Assessed and Quality Controlled (QA/QC) meteorological data from the Billy Bar field site in the East River Watershed, Colorado in order to inform watershed hydrobiogeochemical processes. The data includes 1-hour aligned time series of Solar Radiation, Wind Speed, Wind

This data package includes 6 csv files that include Community Land Model (CLM) simulations for three Fluxnet sites (i.e., US-NR1, US-GLE and US-VCM) and three SNOTEL sites (i.e., ER-BT, ER-SP and ER-PK) in the Upper Colorado River Basin area. Data inputs include meteorological forcing data (obtained

Light response is a unique plant trait that is caused by a species level adaptation to a particular light environment and leaf morphology. By ignoring individuals and focusing on communities as a whole, I was better able to understand how irradiance levels shape plant life. I measured some key chara

Plant reproduction is highly dependent upon phenology, or biological timing, of flowering. However, little is known about how individuals vary in their flowering schedules relative to the population as a whole or how this variation could lead to differences in reproductive success of individuals. He

Competitive dynamics play an important role in community assembly but are often difficult to study in natural systems due to their complexity. Here, I examine the effects of competition on community functional trait distributions. Many studies of competition have found competitive hierarchies, where

Global climate change can disrupt ecosystems by impacting the interactions between organisms. I investigated the impact of early snowmelt and warming on the dioecious perennial herb Valeriana edulis, as well as their indirect effects on the aphid species Aphis valerianae and the ants that tend the a

Plant-­‐fungal symbioses are found in ecosystems worldwide, but relatively little is known about how these two organisms affect each other. This study sought to shed light on this topic. The first experiment tested to see if the presence of an endophyte (genus Epichloë) effected the decomposition ra

Insect herbivores consume plant tissue, reducing plant fitness in the process. In response, plants have evolved a variety of mechanical and chemical defenses to protect themselves. This paper focuses on trichomes, which are hair-like appendages that extend from leaf tissues, and plants use them as a

Dietary specialization on “toxic” or unfavorable pollens has multiple evolutionary origins in many bee families, despite such pollen being unsuitable for most generalist bee species. Pollen specialization on unsuitable pollen types must confer other evolutionary benefits; an anti-­‐parasitism functi

Roads potentially impact nearly one-fifth of the continental United States. Runoff, traffic disturbance, and maintenance associated with roads can affect both the abiotic and biotic features of roadside ecosystems. Species along unpaved roads are particularly susceptible to road dust effects. Plant

This study examined interspecific competition between mountain white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) and Lincoln’s sparrows (Melospiza lincolnii) using a playback experiment. Mountain white-crowned sparrow males were presented with three different song playback factors: 1) a negat

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Dark Septate Endophytes (DSE) participate in symbiotic relationships with host plants in the Rocky Mountains. The effects of plant-host phenology on these fungal symbionts is important in our understanding of how climate changes effects on plants will change th

Pollinator’s attraction to various species of angiosperms is based upon various sensory outputs. These attractants could be floral/inflorescence size, color, scents or other various types of pollinator attractants. It can be inferred that plants species that are more closely related will have simila

Plants systems rely on a variety of resources to survive and reproduce. The amount and quality of pollen a flower receives can determine not only the number of seeds that are produced, but also whether they will be viable or not. The purpose of the study looked at the relationship between the amount

Norman A. Govoni. January 12, 2005.

Chris Woodka. The Pueblo Chieftain. January 9, 2005.

Dan Brauch. August 5, 2005.