We found predominant negative associations between canopy N:P ratio and autumn senescence (20 out of 25 sites; Fig. 2a), indicating that senescence occurs earlier at locations with higher N:P, consistent with potential P scarcity. This dominant pattern is broadly shared across forest types (Fig. S1). Only 3 sites, including two mountainous evergreen sites in the western US (SOAP and RMNP) and a wet tropical montane forest on volcanic substrates in Hawaii (PUUM), show the opposite pattern, with later senescence at higher N:P. One temperate rain forest along the west coast (WREF) exhibits a U-shaped pattern, where an advance of autumn senescence occurs near the lower edge of the canopy N:P range, suggesting a complex, potentially biphasic response at this site. In contrast, SERC, a temperate deciduous forest in the eastern U.S., shows a near-flat relationship between N:P and senescence, warranting further investigations into site-specific confounding factors. These patterns are consistent with our hypothesis H1a and are further supported by the results from SEM for most sites, with exceptions at two high-elevation evergreen forests in the western U.S. (YELL and TEAK; Fig. 3a). Canopy N:K ratio is positively associated with autumn senescence in a large majority of sites (15 out of...

Rocky Mountain National Park Prepares for Possible Prescribed Burn

Big Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park Day hikers can circle a beautiful subalpine lake in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park on the Bear Lake Loop. The 0.6-miles round trip trail is pa…

We found predominant negative associations between canopy N:P ratio and autumn senescence (20 out of 25 sites; Fig. 2a), indicating that senescence occurs earlier at locations with higher N:P, consistent with potential P scarcity. This dominant pattern is broadly shared across forest types (Fig. S1). Only 3 sites, including two mountainous evergreen sites in the western US (SOAP and RMNP) and a wet tropical montane forest on volcanic substrates in Hawaii (PUUM), show the opposite pattern, with later senescence at higher N:P. One temperate rain forest along the west coast (WREF) exhibits a U-shaped pattern, where an advance of autumn senescence occurs near the lower edge of the canopy N:P range, suggesting a complex, potentially biphasic response at this site. In contrast, SERC, a temperate deciduous forest in the eastern U.S., shows a near-flat relationship between N:P and senescence, warranting further investigations into site-specific confounding factors. These patterns are consistent with our hypothesis H1a and are further supported by the results from SEM for most sites, with exceptions at two high-elevation evergreen forests in the western U.S. (YELL and TEAK; Fig. 3a). Canopy N:K ratio is positively associated with autumn senescence in a large majority of sites (15 out of...

Click here to read "Rocky Mountain moose: Past, present and future — Part I" One of the most sought-after animals visitors hope to see in Rocky Mountain National Park is the moose. A gangly yet charismatic animal, some people describe the moose as a poorly drawn horse. The moose, a term derived from the word “moosewa,” meaning “twig eater” in the Algonquin native language, is the world’s largest member of the deer family.