Boston Area Climate Experiment
The Boston Area Climate Experiment (BACE) is a research facility within the Waltham Field Station that examines ecological responses to climate change and environmental drivers. Since 2007, dozens of researchers have collaborated on projects focusing on aspects of biodiversity, ecosystem carbon exchange, plant physiological ecology and stress, herbivory/disturbance, foliar chemistry, soil microbiology, nutrient cycling, biological invasions, and plant-insect interactions. Research at BACE has contributed to the publication of 30 peer-reviewed scientific articles (full list below).
The Boston Area Climate Experiment (BACE) is a research facility within the Waltham Field Station that examines ecological responses to climate change and environmental drivers. Since 2007, dozens of researchers have collaborated on projects focusing on aspects of biodiversity, ecosystem carbon exchange, plant physiological ecology and stress, herbivory/disturbance, foliar chemistry, soil microbiology, nutrient cycling, biological invasions, and plant-insect interactions. Research at BACE has contributed to the publication of 30 peer-reviewed scientific articles (full list below).
BACE is currently managed and maintained by:
BACE is currently managed and maintained by:
Alden Griffith, Wellesley College (agriffit@wellesley.edu)
Colin Orians, Tufts University (colin.orians@tufts.edu)
Alden Griffith, Wellesley College (agriffit@wellesley.edu)
Colin Orians, Tufts University (colin.orians@tufts.edu)
(2007-2017) BACE was initially designed and managed by Jeffrey S. Dukes (jsdukes@purdue.edu)
(2007-2017) BACE was initially designed and managed by Jeffrey S. Dukes (jsdukes@purdue.edu)
BACE was constructed with funding from the National Science Foundation and has been supported by the DOE National Institute for Climatic Change Research and Terrestrial Ecosystem Sciences program, the NSF Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. BACE has also been supported by institutional funds from Tufts University (Tufts Collaborates), Simmons University, and Babson College.
Publications
Publications
Griffith, A. B., Rodgers, V. L., Dukes, J. S. (2021). Demographic analysis of invasible habitat fraction identifies context-dependent roles of resource availability and biotic resistance in determining invasion success. Journal of Ecology 109: 714-726. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13498 (PDF)
Griffith, A. B., Rodgers, V. L., Dukes, J. S. (2021). Demographic analysis of invasible habitat fraction identifies context-dependent roles of resource availability and biotic resistance in determining invasion success. Journal of Ecology 109: 714-726. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13498 (PDF)
Smith, N. G., McNellis, R., Dukes, J. S. (2020). No acclimation: instantaneous responses to temperature maintain homeostatic photosynthetic rates under experimental warming across a precipitation gradient in Ulmus americana. AoB PLANTS 12. https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plaa027 (PDF)
Smith, N. G., McNellis, R., Dukes, J. S. (2020). No acclimation: instantaneous responses to temperature maintain homeostatic photosynthetic rates under experimental warming across a precipitation gradient in Ulmus americana. AoB PLANTS 12. https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plaa027 (PDF)
Orians, C. M., Schweiger, R., Dukes, J. S., Scott, E. R., Müller, C. (2019). Combined impacts of prolonged drought and warming on plant size and foliar chemistry. Annals of Botany 124: 41–52. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcz004 (PDF)
Orians, C. M., Schweiger, R., Dukes, J. S., Scott, E. R., Müller, C. (2019). Combined impacts of prolonged drought and warming on plant size and foliar chemistry. Annals of Botany 124: 41–52. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcz004 (PDF)
Scott, E. R., Li, X., Kfoury, N., Morimoto, J., Han, W.-Y., Ahmed, S., Cash, S.B., Griffin, T.S., Stepp, J.R., Robbat, A., Orians, C. M. (2019). Interactive effects of drought severity and simulated herbivory on tea (Camellia sinensis) volatile and non-volatile metabolites. Environmental and Experimental Botany 157: 283–292. https://10.1016/j.envexpbot.2018.10.025 (PDF)
Scott, E. R., Li, X., Kfoury, N., Morimoto, J., Han, W.-Y., Ahmed, S., Cash, S.B., Griffin, T.S., Stepp, J.R., Robbat, A., Orians, C. M. (2019). Interactive effects of drought severity and simulated herbivory on tea (Camellia sinensis) volatile and non-volatile metabolites. Environmental and Experimental Botany 157: 283–292. https://10.1016/j.envexpbot.2018.10.025 (PDF)
Salazar, A., Lennon, J. T., Dukes, J. S. (2019). Microbial dormancy improves predictability of soil respiration at the seasonal time scale. Biogeochemistry 144: 103–116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-019-00574-5 (PDF)
Salazar, A., Lennon, J. T., Dukes, J. S. (2019). Microbial dormancy improves predictability of soil respiration at the seasonal time scale. Biogeochemistry 144: 103–116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-019-00574-5 (PDF)
Ettinger, A.K., Chuine, I., Cook, B.I., Dukes, J.S., Ellison, A.M., Johnston, M.R., Panetta, A.M., Rollinson, C.R., Vitasse, Y. and Wolkovich, E.M. (2019). How do climate change experiments alter plot‐scale climate?. Ecology Letters 22: 748-763. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13223 (PDF)
Ettinger, A.K., Chuine, I., Cook, B.I., Dukes, J.S., Ellison, A.M., Johnston, M.R., Panetta, A.M., Rollinson, C.R., Vitasse, Y. and Wolkovich, E.M. (2019). How do climate change experiments alter plot‐scale climate?. Ecology Letters 22: 748-763. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13223 (PDF)
Rodgers, V. L., Smith, N. G., Hoeppner, S. S., Dukes, J. S. (2018). Warming increases the sensitivity of seedling growth capacity to rainfall in six temperate deciduous tree species. AoB PLANTS 10.https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/ply003 (PDF)
Rodgers, V. L., Smith, N. G., Hoeppner, S. S., Dukes, J. S. (2018). Warming increases the sensitivity of seedling growth capacity to rainfall in six temperate deciduous tree species. AoB PLANTS 10.https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/ply003 (PDF)
Koyama, A., Steinweg, J. M., Haddix, M. L., Dukes, J. S., & Wallenstein, M. D. (2018). Soil bacterial community responses to altered precipitation and temperature regimes in an old field grassland are mediated by plants. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 94. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fix156 (PDF)
Koyama, A., Steinweg, J. M., Haddix, M. L., Dukes, J. S., & Wallenstein, M. D. (2018). Soil bacterial community responses to altered precipitation and temperature regimes in an old field grassland are mediated by plants. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 94. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fix156 (PDF)
Top, S. M., Preston, C. M., Dukes, J. S., Tharayil, N. (2017). Climate influences the content and chemical composition of foliar tannins in green and senesced tissues of Quercus rubra. Frontiers in Plant Science 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00423 (PDF)
Top, S. M., Preston, C. M., Dukes, J. S., Tharayil, N. (2017). Climate influences the content and chemical composition of foliar tannins in green and senesced tissues of Quercus rubra. Frontiers in Plant Science 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00423 (PDF)
Smith, N. G., Pold, G., Goranson, C., Dukes, J. S. (2016). Characterizing the drivers of seedling leaf gas exchange responses to warming and altered precipitation: indirect and direct effects. AoB PLANTS 8. https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plw066 (PDF)
Smith, N. G., Pold, G., Goranson, C., Dukes, J. S. (2016). Characterizing the drivers of seedling leaf gas exchange responses to warming and altered precipitation: indirect and direct effects. AoB PLANTS 8. https://doi.org/10.1093/aobpla/plw066 (PDF)
Carey, J.C., Tang, J., Templer, P.H., Kroeger, K.D., Crowther, T.W., Burton, A.J., Dukes, J.S., Emmett, B., Frey, S.D., Heskel, M.A., Jiang, L., et al. (2016). Temperature response of soil respiration largely unaltered with experimental warming. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113: 13797–13802. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1605365113
Carey, J.C., Tang, J., Templer, P.H., Kroeger, K.D., Crowther, T.W., Burton, A.J., Dukes, J.S., Emmett, B., Frey, S.D., Heskel, M.A., Jiang, L., et al. (2016). Temperature response of soil respiration largely unaltered with experimental warming. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113: 13797–13802. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1605365113
Auyeung, D.S.N., Martiny, J.B.H., Dukes, J.S. (2015). Nitrification kinetics and ammonia-oxidizing community respond to warming and altered precipitation. Ecosphere 6. https://doi.org/10.1890/ES14-00481.1 (PDF)
Auyeung, D.S.N., Martiny, J.B.H., Dukes, J.S. (2015). Nitrification kinetics and ammonia-oxidizing community respond to warming and altered precipitation. Ecosphere 6. https://doi.org/10.1890/ES14-00481.1 (PDF)
Suseela, V., Tharayil, N., Xing, B., Dukes, J.S. (2015). Warming and drought differentially influence the resorption of elemental and metabolite nitrogen pools in Quercus rubra. Global Change Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13033 (PDF)
Suseela, V., Tharayil, N., Xing, B., Dukes, J.S. (2015). Warming and drought differentially influence the resorption of elemental and metabolite nitrogen pools in Quercus rubra. Global Change Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13033 (PDF)
Sierra, C. A., S. E. Trumbore, E. A. Davidson, S. Vicca, and I. Janssens. (2015). Sensitivity of decomposition rates of soil organic matter with respect to simultaneous changes in temperature and moisture. Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems 7: 335-356.
Sierra, C. A., S. E. Trumbore, E. A. Davidson, S. Vicca, and I. Janssens. (2015). Sensitivity of decomposition rates of soil organic matter with respect to simultaneous changes in temperature and moisture. Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems 7: 335-356.
Polgar, C.A., Primack, R.B., Dukes, J.S., Schaaf, C., Wang, Z., Hoeppner, S.S. (2014). Tree leaf out response to temperature: comparing field observations, remote sensing, and a warming experiment. International Journal of Biometeorology 58: 1251-1257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-013-0718-z (PDF)
Polgar, C.A., Primack, R.B., Dukes, J.S., Schaaf, C., Wang, Z., Hoeppner, S.S. (2014). Tree leaf out response to temperature: comparing field observations, remote sensing, and a warming experiment. International Journal of Biometeorology 58: 1251-1257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-013-0718-z (PDF)
Suseela, V., Tharayil, N., Xing, B., Dukes, J.S. (2014). Warming alters potential enzyme activity but precipitation regulates chemical transformations in grass litter exposed to simulated climatic changes. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 75: 102-112. (PDF).
Suseela, V., Tharayil, N., Xing, B., Dukes, J.S. (2014). Warming alters potential enzyme activity but precipitation regulates chemical transformations in grass litter exposed to simulated climatic changes. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 75: 102-112. (PDF).
Vicca, S., Bahn, M., Estiarte, M., van Loon, E. E., Vargas, R., Alberti, G., Ambus, P., Arain, M. A., Beier, C., Bentley, L. P., Borken, W., Buchmann, N., Collins, S. L., de Dato, G., Dukes, J. S., Escolar, C., Fay, P., Guidolotti, G., Hanson, P. J., Kahmen, A., Kröel-Dulay, G., Ladreiter-Knauss, T., Larsen, K. S., Lellei-Kovacs, E., Lebrija-Trejos, E., Maestre, F. T., Marhan, S., Marshall, M., Meir, P., Miao, Y., Muhr, J., Niklaus, P. A., Ogaya, R., Peñuelas, J., Poll, C., Rustad, L. E., Savage, K., Schindlbacher, A., Schmidt, I. K., Smith, A. R., Sotta, E. D., Suseela, V., Tietema, A., van Gestel, N., van Straaten, O., Wan, S., Weber, U., and Janssens, I. A. (2014). Can current moisture responses predict soil CO2 efflux under altered precipitation regimes? A synthesis of manipulation experiments. Biogeosciences 11: 2991-3013. (PDF)
Vicca, S., Bahn, M., Estiarte, M., van Loon, E. E., Vargas, R., Alberti, G., Ambus, P., Arain, M. A., Beier, C., Bentley, L. P., Borken, W., Buchmann, N., Collins, S. L., de Dato, G., Dukes, J. S., Escolar, C., Fay, P., Guidolotti, G., Hanson, P. J., Kahmen, A., Kröel-Dulay, G., Ladreiter-Knauss, T., Larsen, K. S., Lellei-Kovacs, E., Lebrija-Trejos, E., Maestre, F. T., Marhan, S., Marshall, M., Meir, P., Miao, Y., Muhr, J., Niklaus, P. A., Ogaya, R., Peñuelas, J., Poll, C., Rustad, L. E., Savage, K., Schindlbacher, A., Schmidt, I. K., Smith, A. R., Sotta, E. D., Suseela, V., Tietema, A., van Gestel, N., van Straaten, O., Wan, S., Weber, U., and Janssens, I. A. (2014). Can current moisture responses predict soil CO2 efflux under altered precipitation regimes? A synthesis of manipulation experiments. Biogeosciences 11: 2991-3013. (PDF)
Auyeung, D.S.N., Suseela, V., Dukes, J.S. (2013). Warming and drought reduce temperature sensitivity of nitrogen transformations. Global Change Biology. 19: 662-676. (PDF) Press release
Auyeung, D.S.N., Suseela, V., Dukes, J.S. (2013). Warming and drought reduce temperature sensitivity of nitrogen transformations. Global Change Biology. 19: 662-676. (PDF) Press release
Smith, N.G., Dukes, J.S. (2013). Plant respiration and photosynthesis in global-scale vegetation models: Incorporating acclimation to temperature and CO2. Global Change Biology 19: 45-63. (PDF)
Smith, N.G., Dukes, J.S. (2013). Plant respiration and photosynthesis in global-scale vegetation models: Incorporating acclimation to temperature and CO2. Global Change Biology 19: 45-63. (PDF)
Steinweg, J.M., Dukes, J.S., Paul, E.A., Wallenstein, M.D. (2013). Microbial responses to multi-factor climate change: Effects on soil enzymes. Frontiers in Terrestrial Microbiology 4: 146. Open access article.
Steinweg, J.M., Dukes, J.S., Paul, E.A., Wallenstein, M.D. (2013). Microbial responses to multi-factor climate change: Effects on soil enzymes. Frontiers in Terrestrial Microbiology 4: 146. Open access article.
Suseela, V., Dukes, J.S. (2013). The responses of soil and rhizosphere respiration to simulated climatic changes vary by season. Ecology 94: 403-413. Article in pdf.
Suseela, V., Dukes, J.S. (2013). The responses of soil and rhizosphere respiration to simulated climatic changes vary by season. Ecology 94: 403-413. Article in pdf.
Suseela, V., Tharayil, N., Xing, B., Dukes, J. S. (2013). Labile compounds in plant litter reduce the sensitivity of decomposition to warming and altered precipitation. New Phytologist 200: 122-133. Article in pdf.
Suseela, V., Tharayil, N., Xing, B., Dukes, J. S. (2013). Labile compounds in plant litter reduce the sensitivity of decomposition to warming and altered precipitation. New Phytologist 200: 122-133. Article in pdf.
Brzostek, E.R., Blair, J.M., Dukes, J.S., Frey, S.D., Hobbie, S.E., Melillo, J.M., Mitchell, R.J., Pendall, E., Reich, P.B., Shaver, G.R., Stefanski, A., Tjoelker, M.G. and Finzi, A.C. (2012). The effect of experimental warming and precipitation change on proteolytic enzyme activity: positive feedbacks to nitrogen availability are not universal. Global Change Biology 18: 2617-2625. Article in pdf.
Brzostek, E.R., Blair, J.M., Dukes, J.S., Frey, S.D., Hobbie, S.E., Melillo, J.M., Mitchell, R.J., Pendall, E., Reich, P.B., Shaver, G.R., Stefanski, A., Tjoelker, M.G. and Finzi, A.C. (2012). The effect of experimental warming and precipitation change on proteolytic enzyme activity: positive feedbacks to nitrogen availability are not universal. Global Change Biology 18: 2617-2625. Article in pdf.
Hoeppner, S.S., Dukes, J.S. (2012). Interactive responses of old-field plant growth and composition to warming and precipitation. Global Change Biology 18: 1754-1768. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2011.02626.x
Hoeppner, S.S., Dukes, J.S. (2012). Interactive responses of old-field plant growth and composition to warming and precipitation. Global Change Biology 18: 1754-1768. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2011.02626.x
Rodgers, V.L., Hoeppner, S.S., Daley, M.J., Dukes, J.S. (2012). Leaf-level gas exchange and foliar chemistry of common old-field species responding to warming and precipitation treatments. International Journal of Plant Sciences. 173: 957-970. Article in pdf.
Rodgers, V.L., Hoeppner, S.S., Daley, M.J., Dukes, J.S. (2012). Leaf-level gas exchange and foliar chemistry of common old-field species responding to warming and precipitation treatments. International Journal of Plant Sciences. 173: 957-970. Article in pdf.
Steinweg, J.M., Dukes, J.S., Wallenstein, M.D. (2012). Modeling the effects of temperature and moisture on soil enzyme activity: Linking laboratory assays to continuous field data. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 55: 85-92. Article in pdf.
Steinweg, J.M., Dukes, J.S., Wallenstein, M.D. (2012). Modeling the effects of temperature and moisture on soil enzyme activity: Linking laboratory assays to continuous field data. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 55: 85-92. Article in pdf.
Suseela, V., Conant, R.T., Wallenstein, M.D., Dukes, J.S. (2012). Effects of soil moisture on the temperature sensitivity of heterotrophic respiration vary seasonally in an old-field climate change experiment. Global Change Biology 18: 336-348. Article in pdf.
Suseela, V., Conant, R.T., Wallenstein, M.D., Dukes, J.S. (2012). Effects of soil moisture on the temperature sensitivity of heterotrophic respiration vary seasonally in an old-field climate change experiment. Global Change Biology 18: 336-348. Article in pdf.
Vicca, S., Gilgen, A.K., Camino Serrano, M., Dreesen, F.E., Dukes, J.S., Estiarte, M., Gray, S.B., Guidolotti, G., Hoeppner, S.S., Leakey, A.D.B., Ogaya, R., Ort, D.R., Ostrogovic, M.Z., Rambal, S., Sardans, J., Schmitt, M., Siebers, M., van der Linden, L., van Straaten, O., Granier, A. (2012). Urgent need for a common metric to make precipitation manipulation experiments comparable. New Phytologist 195: 518-522. Article in pdf.
Vicca, S., Gilgen, A.K., Camino Serrano, M., Dreesen, F.E., Dukes, J.S., Estiarte, M., Gray, S.B., Guidolotti, G., Hoeppner, S.S., Leakey, A.D.B., Ogaya, R., Ort, D.R., Ostrogovic, M.Z., Rambal, S., Sardans, J., Schmitt, M., Siebers, M., van der Linden, L., van Straaten, O., Granier, A. (2012). Urgent need for a common metric to make precipitation manipulation experiments comparable. New Phytologist 195: 518-522. Article in pdf.
Tharayil, N., V. Suseela, D. J. Triebwasser, C. M. Preston, P. D. Gerard, and J. S. Dukes. (2011). Changes in the structural composition and reactivity of Acer rubrum leaf litter tannins exposed to warming and altered precipitation: climatic stress-induced tannins are more reactive. New Phytologist 191: 132-145. Article in pdf. The definitive version is available at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/nph
Tharayil, N., V. Suseela, D. J. Triebwasser, C. M. Preston, P. D. Gerard, and J. S. Dukes. (2011). Changes in the structural composition and reactivity of Acer rubrum leaf litter tannins exposed to warming and altered precipitation: climatic stress-induced tannins are more reactive. New Phytologist 191: 132-145. Article in pdf. The definitive version is available at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/nph
Dukes, J.S., Pontius, J., Orwig, D.A., Garnas, J.R., Rodgers, V.L., Brazee, N.J., Cooke, B.J., Theoharides, K.A., Stange, E.E., Harrington, R.A., Ehrenfeld, J.G., Gurevitch, J., Lerdau, M., Stinson, K., Wick, R., Ayres, M.P. (2009). Responses of insect pests, pathogens and invasive species to climate change in the forests of northeastern North America: What can we predict? Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 39: 231-248. Article in PDF.
Dukes, J.S., Pontius, J., Orwig, D.A., Garnas, J.R., Rodgers, V.L., Brazee, N.J., Cooke, B.J., Theoharides, K.A., Stange, E.E., Harrington, R.A., Ehrenfeld, J.G., Gurevitch, J., Lerdau, M., Stinson, K., Wick, R., Ayres, M.P. (2009). Responses of insect pests, pathogens and invasive species to climate change in the forests of northeastern North America: What can we predict? Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 39: 231-248. Article in PDF.