Description:

Please join us for the MS Thesis presentation of PBC student Diana Jerome!

The effect of early snowmelt and warming on the phenology of subalpine wildflowers 

Climate change is increasing spring temperatures, leading to earlier snowmelt in high latitude, alpine, and subalpine environments. These changes to spring climate have resulted in earlier phenology, aka timing of biological events such as flowering and fruiting. Changes in phenology can expose plants to harsh environmental conditions and mistiming with pollinators leading to potential decreases in growth, reproduction, and survival. My thesis uses factorial manipulation to examine the effects of early snowmelt and warming on the timing, duration, and reproductive success of three subalpine wildflowers to determine the mechanism behind these climatic drivers.