Differing sensitivities to predation risk contribute to diversity by allowing similar organisms to coexist. Such is the case with the golden-mantled ground squirrel, Spermophilus lateralis, and the least chipmunk, Tamias minimus. These sciurids are both abundant in the area surrounding the Rocky Mou

Mutualisms are mutually exploitative relationships in which the benefits to both partners outweigh the costs. Mutualisms are expected to exist in a fragile balance, and these interactions may vary, both across their geographic range and temporally. Valeriana edulis, a dioecious perennial, is host to

Plant-pollinator networks shape the populations of flowering plants across the world. Ecosystems face increasing challenges that decrease floral density and threaten to restructure plant-pollinator networks. The responses of these networks will play a critical role in the fates of plant species, bec

In this study I tested if there is a correlation between bee size and size parameters of flowers the bees visit for pollen. In the plant community evaluated there are not many characteristics restricting the use of pollen by bees. Most of the plants analysed have open corollas and/or present pollen

As well-studied, annual species inhabiting an environment with a short growing season, the bumble bees (Bombus spp.) in the area around the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) near Crested Butte, Colorado, provide an ideal system for monitoring climate change. In 1974, Graham Pyke conducted

Precambrian metamorphic and igneous rocks, Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, and Tertiary igneous and sedimentary rocks crop out in the northern Sangre de Cristo Range. Miocene (?) age normal faults, Late Cretaceous or Early Tertiary thrust faults, and Paleozoic (?) reverse faults have displaced Precambr

Differences between individuals are often not accounted for in studies using plant functional trait data. Variation due to biotic and abiotic conditions is common for many plant traits that are crucial for fitness and survival. However, functional trait methods usually do not account for differences

Many studies have looked at intraspecific competition between larva and adults, paedmorphic and metamorphic Ambystoma tigrinum. None, however, none have looked at male vs. female competition. In this experiment, twelve females and twelve male tiger salamanders were observed foraging for caddisfly la

In this study we attempted to discover some of the possible plant responses to global climate change, to assess plant responses we used two plant leaf functional traits: leaf maximum assimilation rate of CO2 (Amax) and Specific Leaf Area (SLA). To evaluate increasing temperature we used a natural el

Coexistence among species can occur in a variety of ways through niche partitioning. Two major niche components for many organisms are temperature and soil moisture and variation in these may occur with habitat heterogeneity. Near Gothic, Colorado at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, there a

The BLM has adopted a two-phase procedure for the integration of geological, energy and minerals (GEM) resources data for suitable/nonsuitable decisions for wilderness study areas (WSA's).

There are numerous species of organisms that live in woody vegetation. Their species diversity will be equal to the total number of species and their relative abundance. This study compared the species diversity of arthropods between perennial shrubs and evergreen trees. I hypothesized that a larger