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natural soils under aspen clones will be documented by collection of samples for <br />nutrient analysis from bulk soil samples and from soil water from ceramic lysimeters <br />placed 2 ft deep in each soil site. Soil samples for nutrient analysis will be collected <br />within 2 ft of aspen trees. All water and soil samples will be collected, refrigerated, <br />and transported to Ft. Collins for analysis. <br />Asaen Data -Tree height, basal caliper, and length of the terminal leader and <br />the first three lateral branches of all trees will be measured monthly throughout the <br />2006 and 2007 growing season. Any dieback, damage, or disease will also be noted. <br />In 2007, five randomly selected trees in each watering treatment will be excavated by <br />washing soil away from roots with a pressurized water hose connected to the storage <br />tank. The length of all roots will be measured. All roots less than 5mm in diameter <br />will be collected and measured for volume, and oven-dried and weighed. Leaves will <br />be counted and measured for size (length from tip to petiole, and maximum width). <br />Water stress of leaves will be monitored predawn bi-weekly using the Plant <br />Status Console. Photosynthesis will be measured midday bi-weekly using a Portable <br />Photosynthesis System. <br />Other species -Data will be collected similar to that for aspen. <br />Comoetino veoetation control -All vegetation will be cleared to mineral soil <br />from designated competing vegetation control treatments as needed during the <br />growing season, by hoeing, or other mechanical means. Because of the sensitivity of <br />aspen to herbicides, chemical control will not be utilized. <br />Time Allocation: <br />Initial tree winter survival/growth measurements May 2006 <br />Operate irrigation system, maintain treatments May -August, 2006 <br />Collect growth, physiological, and soil data, 2006 June -Sept, 2006 <br />Submit draft interim report Sept 30, 2007 <br />Submit interim report February 15, 2007 <br />Operate irrigation system, maintain treatments May -August, 2007 <br />Collect growth, physiological, and soil data, 2007 June -Sept, 2007 <br />Submit draft final report February 15, 2008 <br />Submit final report May 1, 2008 <br />Resource Allocation: <br />It's proposed that Seneca Coal and RMRS share responsibilities for these studies in <br />order to take advantage of our respective resources and insure that field work for the <br />2006 growing season can be completed prior to receiving funds from the DOI OSM <br />NTTT grant. <br />RMRS will: <br />maintain the drip irrigation system and monitor irrigation system pertormance <br />(PI's, permanent RMRS support personnel, Research Associate, Summer <br />Student Assistant) <br />monitor meteorological conditions, data recording system, and irrigation <br />system (Research Associate, Summer Student Assistant) <br />17 <br />