Content
Topic Introduction
We will introduce response functions in this topic, which is relatively new in plant ecology. A response function represents the environmental effects on plant performance, which is better suited for developing forest adaptive strategies to climate change. We will cover the requirements and approaches for building response functions. We will also discuss the advantages and limitations of response functions.
By the end of this topic, you should be able to
- Define population response functions;
- List the advantages and limitations of response functions;
- Distinguish the use of individual and multiple response functions;
- Describe the features of universal response functions.
Topic Readings
Required Readings
Optional Readings
- Rehfeldt, G. E., C. C. Ying, D. L. Spittlehouse, and D. A. Hamilton. 1999. Genetic responses to climate in Pinus contorta: niche breadth, climate change, and reforestation. Ecological Monographs 69:375–407.
- Wang, T., A. Hamann, A. Yanchuk, G. A. O’Neill, and S. N. Aitken. 2006b. Use of response functions in selecting lodgepole pine populations for future climate. Global Change Biology 12:2404–2416.
Self Check (For certificate learning only)
After reading for this topic, take 5 minutes to take an online self-check quiz for the topic. The main purpose of the quiz is for you to self-check how well you grasp the contents for this topic. It will cover contents of the lecture(s) for the topic. Five attempts are allowed and highest mark will be saved to show your achievement.
When you are ready, click the link Self-check Quiz 4.3 to start taking the quiz.
Activities & Assignments (For certificate learning only)
Online Discussions
Online discussions are much like face-to-face discussions. Students are required preparation and active participation in order to the learning objectives. The online discussion will be asynchronous (i.e., students can participate at different times) and will be closed at the end of the week. This discussion accounts for 2 marks graded based on participation and quality of the posts. Each student is required to have at least one post. Everyone is encouraged to rate each post. The first post account for 70%, the second one for 20% and third one for 10% of the participation, respectively. The first post with at least five sentences is considered as the “first post”. A simply “Yes or No” post is not considered as a post. The quality is graded by both Instructor (50%) and peer rating (50%).
Discussion Topics:
- Response functions vs. transfer functions in applications of climate change adaptation.
- Single vs. multiple response functions in predicting ecological niches.
To participate in the discussion, please go to Online Discussion 4.3 class forum.
Graded Assignments
Module 4 Test
Module 4 Test Due at 23:59pm on Day 7 of this week (PST). See Course Schedule for specific due date.
Topic Summary
A response function reflects the response of a population response to environment, which is directly relevant to a changing climate. Thus, a response function is more relevant to serve the purpose of developing forest adaptive strategies. In addition, response functions can be used to predict the fundamental niche of a population or a species, which is more useful than the realized niche predicted by the niche models developed based on species occurrence data. The development of response functions is similar to the development of transfer functions or genecology functions. The only limitation is the requirement of multiple test sites, which are not widely available.
Topic Self-review (For self learning)
Please use the reflection questions below as study guide to conduct self-review for the topic:
- What kind of relationship does a response function reflect?
- What kind of climatie niche do response functions predict for a species?
- What makes a response function more difficult to develop?
- Comparing with a genecology function, why a response function is more straightforward in predict the impact of climate change on trees?
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