Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are primary metabolites produced during photosynthesis that play crucial roles in plant function. NSCs include soluble sugars and starch, which serve distinct physiological purposes: soluble sugars support immediate metabolism and osmoregulation—especially under water deficit—while starch acts as a reserve resource (Martínez-Vilalta et al. 2016). Plants differ in their allocation to soluble sugars versus starch, and this investment shifts in response to environmental conditions.

In this project, we aim to elucidate the temporal dynamics of NSCs in rubber rabbitbrush across two University of Utah gardens: the irrigated Landscape Lab and the non-irrigated Biology Experimental Garden. We will examine how changes in NSC concentrations correspond with leaf and stem photosynthetic rates and hydraulic traits, which reflect the efficiency of water transport within plant tissues.

Because carbon and water fluxes are tightly coupled in plants, this study seeks to uncover the coordinated functional strategies of rubber rabbitbrush under contrasting water regimes. Our findings will provide insight into the drought tolerance mechanisms of this widespread species and inform broader ecological understanding of plant resilience in arid environments.