Project ALTA
Altitudinal Transects across the Americas
The ALTA project is a long-term forest dynamics plot network spanning from sea to summit. We are combining measurements of plant diversity, survival, and growth with global databases to understand shifting forest compositions. Our work spans lowland tropical dry forests, tropical rain and cloud forests, and temperate deciduous and evergreen forests.
The interactive map below shows current sites within the ALTA network. We hope to add sites in Puerto Rico and beyond in the near future.
Current ALTA sites are located in Virginia, Tennessee, and Costa Rica. Click on each point to learn more!
The maps below give a closer look at our active ALTA sites. Click on each location pin to learn more about the plots!
ALTA sites in Virginia are located in Nellysford within areas managed by The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen. These sites are fewer in number, closer together spatially, and have elevations ranging from 150 to 900 meters above sea level.
ALTA sites in Costa Rica are located in the Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), part of the larger Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación. They span from eastern beaches to inland volcanoes, with elevations ranging between 10 - 1300 meters above sea level.
ALTA sites in Tennessee are located within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GRSM) and are part of the NEON monitoring network. These plots are the newest addition to our ALTA project - stay tuned for more info!
Data Collection & Processing
Our data is collected through field sampling followed by lab processing. Field work includes collection of census information and samples. The census gives information about the health and growth of every tree in the plot, and provides an opportunity to add new trees as they reach our minimum size requirements. Physical collection takes place in the summer, where mature sun leaves and wood samples are taken from representative trees in each plot.
Samples collected in the field must be processed in the lab. We use a variety of techniques to get information such as specific leaf area, wood density, leaf water content, stomatal density, etc. This process takes place immediately following collection, as these factors are impacted by sample dehydration.
Team members working hard in the lab!
If you are interested in collaborating, contact us to see how we can work together!
