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At the Palo Verde Biological Station, Ken and the group he worked with[Ingrid Chlup, Peg Goldman, Ruth Juhant and Jamila Daultzai ] did research on a very unusual tree called the Pachota tree [Pochota quinata]. The Pochota is a Pleistocene tree that developed a formidable defense against the terrestrial megafauna herbivores that existed at that time. The trunks of these trees evolved with tough, sharp spines, often of considerable length. These spines encircle the trunk and extend along the entire trunk and onto the branches. Presumably, this was because the megafauna of the time, such as the giant ground sloth, et. al., could reach a considerable distance up the trunk into the branches. Though these fauna no longer exist, the trees are still extant. At Palo Verde, they are relatively common, although saplings were not observed.We traveled the trails to find specimens of the tree on one day and the next day to take measurements.
We took data on:
a) ambient temperature; b) diameter at breast height [dbh]; c) height of tree [calculated with a clinometer];d) spine density [within a 10cm square]; e) length [height] and width of five spines within each square; f) canopy cover; g) soil moisture.
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| Ken counts the spines. | Ingrid, Ken, Ruth and Jamila take data. Peg records the scene. |
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