DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Tracing water sources used by terrestrial streamside animal communities using stable water isotopes

论文研究：使用稳定水同位素追踪陆地河边动物群落使用的水源

• 批准号: 0808537
• 负责人: John Sabo
• 金额: $ 1.07万
• 依托单位: Arizona State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-05-15 至 2010-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0808537&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Tracing; water; sources

Alterations and reductions of river flow have resulted in drastic changes to streamside areas of the Western US and throughout much of the world. Effects of these changes on plants have been documented, but effects on communities of land animals are less known. The degree to which animals rely on river water versus water from moist food may help predict how river alteration will affect streamside communities. Isotopes of water that are non-radioactive and occur naturally throughout the globe may be used to document the relative importance of these two possible water sources to animals. However, this technique is complicated by a change in water isotopes in the animal, over time, due to differences in evaporation between heavier and lighter isotopes. The proposed research will investigate a technique to avoid problems created by this phenomenon, using laboratory experiments on representative animal species.The ability to use isotopes to document patterns of animal water use would be a great asset to biologists globally, especially those studying drylands, river and streamside areas, irrigated landscapes, and the effects of climate change. This project will incorporate undergraduate and K-12 students from diverse backgrounds, providing them with first-hand experience with scientific research.

河流流量的改变和减少导致美国西部和世界大部分地区的河滨地区发生了巨大的变化。 这些变化对植物的影响已被记录，但对陆地动物群落的影响却鲜为人知。 动物对河水的依赖程度与对潮湿食物​​的水的依赖程度可能有助于预测河流的变化将如何影响河边群落。 全球各地自然存在的非放射性水同位素可用于记录这两种可能的水源对动物的相对重要性。 然而，由于重同位素和轻同位素之间的蒸发差异，随着时间的推移，动物体内水同位素的变化使这项技术变得复杂。 拟议的研究将研究一种技术，通过对代表性动物物种进行实验室实验，避免这种现象造成的问题。使用同位素记录动物用水模式的能力对于全球生物学家来说将是一笔巨大的财富，特别是那些研究旱地、河流的生物学家。和河边地区、灌溉景观以及气候变化的影响。 该项目将吸收来自不同背景的本科生和 K-12 学生，为他们提供第一手的科学研究经验。