Bookmark
Please login to bookmark Close

Travis Idol

Non Forest Service

Photo of Travis Idol kneeling in tall grass.
SHARE

My favorite science experience was measuring the growth of roots into mesh bags filled with soil. The bags were placed in holes in the ground in forests of different ages. That way, we could tell how fast the roots were growing. That would tell us how much energy and biomass the trees were sending belowground where it is not normally visible.

The youngest forests (only 5 years old) had the fastest root growth but also the most rapid root death. These facts make sense because young trees have to grow roots, shoots, and leaves quickly to compete with their neighbors. After the forest ages, the fewer but bigger trees have well-established root systems and leaf canopies, and thus don’t have to compete as intensely.

Explore More Scientists & Collaborators in Forests & Plants

Rick Truex

Program Director/Manager

Mike Stahl

Engineer

Beth Buchanan

Fire Ecologist

Nick Smokovich

Forester

Ryan Vinhal

Forester

Marty Frye

Program Director/Manager