Long Term Ecological Research-Shortgrass Steppe

长期生态研究-短草草原

• 批准号: 0217631
• 负责人: Eugene Kelly
• 金额: $ 468万
• 依托单位: Colorado State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2002
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2002-11-01 至 2009-10-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0217631&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Long; Term; Ecological; Research; Shortgrass

Abstract (SGS LTER Renewal Proposal)The shortgrass steppe (SGS) LTER has been in operation since 1982. Three questions guide its work: (1) What factors regulate ecological structure and function over space and time? (2) How do factors that regulate structure and function and coupling of biotic and abiotic components vary spatially and temporally? (3) What are the thresholds that determine the vulnerability to changes in the factors influencing structure and function? The conceptual framework asserts that ecological structure and function are governed by climate, natural disturbance, physiography, human use, and biotic interactions. SGS work is divided into three topic areas, population dynamics (plants and heterotrophs), biogeochemistry, and land-atmosphere interactions. Disturbances are of such importance that they are embedded in each topic area. In addition to continuing long-term experiments, SGS will initiate new studies that primarily focus on Question 3. In the area of population dynamics, one grass species, Bouteloua gracilis, contributes most to biomass and net primary production (NPP) and has been the focus of most past work. New long-term studies of Opuntia polyacantha (prickly-pear cactus), a species that makes up a small proportion of NPP, will be initiated; its spiny growth form affords protection to other species and therefore may have a large effect under cattle grazing. Even though the SGS has proven quite resistant to invasive plants, the introduction of species that can successfully invade the SGS is inevitable. So the potential for invasion by plants with different life history attributes will be studied and surveys conducted to detect new invasions. In the area of faunal dynamics, small mammals simultaneously reflect and affect both the structure and function of the SGS ecosystem. Long-term studies will be continued that track small mammal populations, their resources and predators. New research will emphasize the dynamics of the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) and its effects on biological diversity and ecosystem function. The once abundant prairie dog is now a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Under biogeochemistry, SGS conceives of biogeochemical processes as an integrated function of biotic components and those processes responsible for carbon and nutrient fluxes: primary production, decomposition, weathering, mineralization, and trace gas flux. Variations in biogeochemistry will continue to be studied as a function of climatic controls, and new studies that evaluate geologic (textural) and topographic controls, and the N budget will be initiated.Regarding land-atmosphere interactions, the processes of primary concern are water, energy, and gaseous fluxes. One of the most important alterations that has occurred and continues to occur on the SGS LTER is land-use change, which will be evaluated in terms of the interactions among human land use, biotic responses, and atmospheric processes at local to regional scales. The SGS has a major investment in simulation analysis, and each of topic areas has a simulation component. Models will continue to be used for synthesizing long-term data both within and across research areas. A new synthesis volume will be published during the next funding cycle.Finally, data management supports SGS research and contributes to ecoinformatics. The building of new interactions with federal land management agencies, NGO's, and the interested public will be continued. Through the use of supplemental funding, SGS will focus its sLTER on K-12 and community outreach through student mentoring, curriculum development, teacher professional development, community partnerships, and education research.

摘要（sgs lter续订建议）自1982年以来，Shortgrass Steppe（SGS）lter一直在运作。三个问题指导其工作：（1）哪些因素调节了时间和时间的生态结构和功能？ （2）如何在空间和时间上调节生物和非生物成分的结构和功能以及偶联的因素？ （3）确定影响结构和功能因素变化的脆弱性的阈值是什么？该概念框架断言，生态结构和功能受气候，自然干扰，生理学，人使用和生物相互作用的控制。 SGS的工作分为三个主题领域：种群动态（植物和异养殖），生物地球化学和陆地大气相互作用。干扰非常重要，以至于它们嵌入了每个主题领域。除了持续的长期实验外，SGS还将启动主要关注问题3的新研究。在人口动态领域，一种草种，Bouteloua Gracilis对生物质和净产量生产（NPP）贡献最大，并且一直是过去工作的重点。对占NPP占一小部分的物种的Opuntia Polyacantha（Prickly Pear Cactus）的新长期研究将被启动；它的刺生生长形式为其他物种提供了保护，因此在放牧牛下可能会产生很大的影响。即使SGS已被证明对侵入性植物具有很大的抵抗力，但可以成功入侵SG的物种是不可避免的。因此，将研究具有不同生命史属性的植物入侵的潜力，并进行调查以检测新的入侵。在动力学区域，小型哺乳动物同时反映并影响SGS生态系统的结构和功能。将继续进行长期研究，跟踪少量的哺乳动物种群，其资源和捕食者。新的研究将强调黑尾草原狗（Cynomys Ludovicianus）的动态及其对生物多样性和生态系统功能的影响。曾经丰富的草原狗现在是根据《濒危物种法》列出的候选人。在生物地球化学下，SGS对生物地球化学过程的构想是生物成分的综合功能以及负责碳和养分通量的那些过程：一级生产，分解，风化，矿化，矿化和微量气体磁通量。生物地球化学的变化将继续作为气候控制的函数，以及评估地质（纹理）和地形控制的新研究，并启动n个预算。将土地 - 大气相互作用，主要关注的过程是水，能量和气体的过程。 SGS lter上发生并继续发生的最重要的改变之一是土地利用变化，这将根据人类土地使用之间的相互作用，生物反应和当地至区域尺度的大气过程进行评估。 SGS在模拟分析方面有重大投资，并且每个主题领域都有一个模拟组件。模型将继续用于整合研究领域内部和整个研究领域的长期数据。在下一个资金周期中将发布新的合成量。最后，数据管理支持SGS研究并有助于生态信息学。将继续与联邦土地管理机构，非政府组织和感兴趣的公众建立新的互动。通过使用补充资金，SGS将通过学生指导，课程发展，教师专业发展，社区合作伙伴和教育研究将其分散放在K-12和社区外展上。