One winter rye plant can grow over 600 kilometers (372 miles) of roots in one growing season.
Mapping Ancient Trees of the Niagara Escarpment
Conservation of millennium-aged trees
Located on the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, is the only forest ecosystem with millennium-aged trees. These forests consist primarily of eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis). There is currently no protection in place for the ancient forests of this area, and no structured investigation has yet been undertaken to determine the location and ages of the oldest trees. Recreational activities now pose a threat to the trees of the escarpment area and tagging and investigation of the oldest specimens is crucial. As trees of this species usually only live 6-80 years on level ground, it is critical to determine what the habitat conditions are that produce such long-lived trees in this area. Researchers from the Department of Botany, University of Guelph, Ontario, are gathering information on the trees during this long-term study. Results will enable scientists to determine the habitat conditions that produce great age and thus contribute to conservation of ancient forests into the next millennium.
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GF Research
