Abstract
This paper first explains that the objective of the thesis proposal presented is to measure the responses of chaparral plants to elevated N and CO2 by first determining the concentrations of soil and leaf N in adenostoma fasiculatum and bromus tectorum in the Chaparral of southern California. Next, the author reviews literature about carbon, nitrogen and the ecological impact of climate change. The paper describes extensively the research methodology that will be used to evaluate the difference in the concentration of N in adenostoma fasiculatum, bromus tectorum or associated soils under elevated CO2 with or without N amendment, under CO2 with or without N amendment and under elevated N-deposition with or without recalcitrant litter amendment.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Literature Review
Carbon
C Cycle
CO2 Levels
Nitrogen
N Cycle
N Levels
Ecological Impact of Climate Change
Rationale and Hypothesis
Methods
Field Stations
Sky Oaks Biological Field Station
San Dimas Experimental Forest
Experimental Design
Analyses
Soil -- Total Nitrogen
KCl
Soil -- Ammonium and Nitrate
CHCl3 Fumigation
Soil -- Microbial Nitrogen
Ion-Exchange Resin (IER) Bags
Resin Bag Extractions
Available Phosphorous -- Labile Pi
Soil -- Organic Phosphorous -- Po
Soil -- Microbial Phosphorus

From the Paper
"Nutrient cycling is also affected by increased N availability. Historically, N has been a limiting nutrient in terrestrial ecosystems. As such, it has a major influence on the primary productivity, species composition, diversity, dynamics and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. The nature of vegetation in a system can have a large effect on an ecosystems N supply rate, and N supply rates can in turn strongly influence vegetation composition. Many native plant species are adapted to, and function optimally in, soils and solutions with low levels of available nitrogen."

Tags:vegetation, climate change, field station, concentration anova

Abstract
This paper describes the geography of Torrey Pines State Reserve located in San Diego, California, exploring its unique features that include its chaparral plants, rare Torrey Pine trees, beaches and cliffs. The paper also discusses the Reserve's varied geology.

From the Paper
"According to the Torrey Pines State Reserve official website, this State Reserve is located in the city of San Diego. It is and remains one of the wildest stretches of land on the Southern California coast. The Reserve encompasses acres of land. Some of the more famous parts of the Reserve are the chaparral plant community, the rare Torrey Pine trees, miles of unspoiled beaches, spectacular cliffs and a salt marsh that is vital to migrating seabirds. The Reserve is open to pedestrians..."

Tags:plants, animals, geological features, docent, maintaining trails, Torrey Pines, California

Abstract
The paper describes how fire is an important part of the coastal sage scrub habitat. The paper further discusses how frequent high intensity fires, combined with the invasion of non-native plants, may affect the habitat's ability to restore itself. The paper examines the effects of frequent high intensity fires on an area of coastal sage scrub habitat in the Voorhis Ecological Reserve, Cal Poly Pomona. The paper analyzes how fires in this area reduced the number of plant species, reduced the layers of vegetation, and opened the land to invasive exotic species that take over from local plant species. The paper concludes that the combination of frequent fires and invasive species may have increased the recovery time of the coastal sage scrub in this area.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Coastal Sage Scrub is one of the major habitats in Southern California. It is located on the coastal cliffs, plains, and foothills of the Pacific coast of Southern California and Northwestern Mexico, at elevations below 1000 feet. In many places, Coastal Sage Scrub is contingent with Annual Grassland, Coastal Oak Woodland, and Chaparral. (Becker 1988, Minnich 1983)"

Tags:california, chaparral, ecology, invasive, native, plants, southern, species