Giant Kelp

For your initial post, you will submit your pre-recorded oral presentation of your course project. This is the oral presentation portion of your Course Project. Please review the linked Week 5 Review and Proposal Course Project and the rubric for this discussion for more details on the oral presentation. From there, the student review "committees" will observe and assess the oral presentations and provide feedback, as detailed in the course project guidelines.

Research question:

How does the vertical position of young and old kelp blades in the water column influence photosynthetic efficiency and overall growth inMacrocystis pyrifera?

Hypothesis:

Macrocystis pyrifera, or giant kelp, grows as much as possible by keeping new blades close to the bright surface waters for optimal photosynthesis and older blades at medium depths where they can still recycle nutrients and give energy before dying.

Presentation: Evolutionary history and Biogeography Present the relevant evolutionary history of your selected species that contributes to its invasive success (~1 slide) Present the native and expanded biogeography of your chosen species and highlight key affected native species (~1 slides)
Presentation: Physiology and Reproductive biology Present a visual summary of the relevant physiology and reproductive biology of your species (~2 slides)
EcologyPresent a summary of the ecology of your species as relates to its distribution and ecological success (~2 slides)
Presentation: Research proposalState the core research question and your hypothesis. Visually demonstrate the methodology you are proposing to answer your question. (~2 slides)

Week 4 Discussion 1: Course Project Scaffold: Review and Proposal Oral Presentation

Criteria	Ratings	Pts
IntroductionIntroduce your focal species and state your primary research question (~1 slide)	This area will be used by the assessor to leave comments related to this criterion.
Evolutionary History and Biogeography Present the relevant evolutionary history of your selected species that contributes to its invasive success (~1 slide) Present the native and expanded biogeography of your chosen species and highlight key affected native species (~1 slides)	This area will be used by the assessor to leave comments related to this criterion.
Physiology and Reproductive biology Present a visual summary of the relevant physiology and reproductive biology of your species (~2 slides)	This area will be used by the assessor to leave comments related to this criterion.
Present a summary of the ecology of your species as relates to its distribution and ecological success (~2 slides)	This area will be used by the assessor to leave comments related to this criterion.
Proposal State the core research question and your hypothesis. Visually demonstrate the methodology you are proposing to answer your question. (~2 slides)	This area will be used by the assessor to leave comments related to this criterion.
All sources used for content and visuals are clearly APA cited.	This area will be used by the assessor to leave comments related to this criterion.
Style and DeliveryContent is clearly and engagingly delivered and with a good speaking voice. Presenter does not read directly from slide text but relies on visuals to help drive the narrative. Visuals are well chosen - relevant, informative, and compelling.	This area will be used by the assessor to leave comments related to this criterion.

Research proposal:

The goal of this study is to investigate how Macrocystis pyrifera growth and photosynthetic efficiency are affected by vertical orientation in the water column, paying special emphasis to the differences between young and older kelp blades. The basic idea is that younger blades nearer the surface have more light available, which results in higher photosynthetic efficiency and growth contributions than older, deeper-positioned blades.

This will be tested by selecting and collecting individual kelp plants at different depths within a regulated coastal kelp forest. Using a Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluorometer, blades will be sorted by age (younger apical vs. older basal blades), and their chlorophyll fluorescence will be measured to determine photosynthetic efficiency (Belshe et al., 2009). Blade growth rates will also be tracked every two weeks using predetermined length increments. Underwater sensors will capture environmental data, such as light intensity and water temperature, at each depth (Scientists track environmental influences on giant kelp with help from Landsat Data2011).

The use of ANOVA and other statistical tests can determine whether blade age and vertical placement significantly affect photosynthetic production and growth. By better understanding the morphological and physiological changes in M. pyrifera, our work will have an impact on the resilience of kelp forests to changing maritime light levels and their productivity.