How Does the Presence of Shade Influence the Development of Rudbeckia fulgida?
Disciplines
Natural Resources and Conservation
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida) is a plant species native to northern Georgia grasslands that is threatened by habitat loss due to increased human land use. The species often co-occurs with royal catchfly (Silene regia) which has shown preference to growing in partial shade in Georgia. Gathering information on how the presence of shade influences the development of R. fulgida can support the protection of its habitats and inform its conservation across Georgia. We planted 30 plants at the KSU Field Station at various distances from a tree line that provides afternoon shade. From June 11 to July 22, 2025, we measured height of the tallest stem (cm), number of stems, ambient light conditions, stomata conductivity (Gsw), and the efficiency of photosystem II (PhiPSII) weekly. Our goals were to whether plants growing closer to the tree line (i.e., increased shading) exhibit more growth and altered physiology (Gsw and PhiPSII). Plants midway from the fence had an average final height of 76.9 ± 8.8 cm, representing a 13.35% and 22.67% increase compared to plants along and furthest from the fence. Plants adjacent to the fence had a mean stomata conductivity of 0.248 ± 0.02 mol m-2 s-1, delineating a 32.86% and 60.38% increase compared to plants midway and furthest from the fence. Plants along the fence had an average efficiency of photosystem II of 0.70 ± 0.09, portraying a 35.29% and 91.67% increase compared to plants midway and furthest from the fence. Despite being a grassland species, our results suggest that R. fulgida benefits from partial shade, similar to S. regia. By collecting additional data of R.l fulgida’s shade tolerance, we can effectively manage its habitats and inform its conservation across Georgia.
Use of AI Disclaimer
no
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM – Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Mario Bretfeld
How Does the Presence of Shade Influence the Development of Rudbeckia fulgida?
Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida) is a plant species native to northern Georgia grasslands that is threatened by habitat loss due to increased human land use. The species often co-occurs with royal catchfly (Silene regia) which has shown preference to growing in partial shade in Georgia. Gathering information on how the presence of shade influences the development of R. fulgida can support the protection of its habitats and inform its conservation across Georgia. We planted 30 plants at the KSU Field Station at various distances from a tree line that provides afternoon shade. From June 11 to July 22, 2025, we measured height of the tallest stem (cm), number of stems, ambient light conditions, stomata conductivity (Gsw), and the efficiency of photosystem II (PhiPSII) weekly. Our goals were to whether plants growing closer to the tree line (i.e., increased shading) exhibit more growth and altered physiology (Gsw and PhiPSII). Plants midway from the fence had an average final height of 76.9 ± 8.8 cm, representing a 13.35% and 22.67% increase compared to plants along and furthest from the fence. Plants adjacent to the fence had a mean stomata conductivity of 0.248 ± 0.02 mol m-2 s-1, delineating a 32.86% and 60.38% increase compared to plants midway and furthest from the fence. Plants along the fence had an average efficiency of photosystem II of 0.70 ± 0.09, portraying a 35.29% and 91.67% increase compared to plants midway and furthest from the fence. Despite being a grassland species, our results suggest that R. fulgida benefits from partial shade, similar to S. regia. By collecting additional data of R.l fulgida’s shade tolerance, we can effectively manage its habitats and inform its conservation across Georgia.