BIO120H1 Lecture : Case Study Aspen.docx
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BIO120H1 Full Course Notes
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Document Summary
Case study: the glorious, golden, and gigantic quaking aspen. Populus tremuloides aspen most recognized, beautiful, admired of all tree specices: besides in north america, its distrivuted in european and asian countries. Can be found from alaska mexico and vancouver maine. In northern-central continent, trees grow at any elevation, but in southern parts, it only grows at higher elevations. Similar pattern for aspen in europe and asia. Bark is living tissue and carries photosynthesis. Drops leaves in winter, but remains alive and thus requires metabolic activity. Soft tan-greenish hues on bark mark an important photosynthetic capability provided by 3 different levels of chloroplasts. Stem photosynthesis contributes to aspen"s winter survival ( disadvantage is that its low fire resistance, attractive source of food for elk and numerous insects/fungi) If root system b/w patches is severed then patches form physiologically separate entities but generally still considered part of the same clone. Boundaries of clones seen in early spring when flowering/leafing occurs.
