COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Decomposition in drylands: Soil erosion and UV interactions

合作研究：旱地分解：土壤侵蚀和紫外线相互作用

• 批准号: 0815808
• 负责人: Heather Throop
• 金额: $ 26.54万
• 依托单位: New Mexico State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-10-01 至 2013-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0815808&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: COLLABORATIVE; RESEARCH; Decomposition; drylands; Soil

Decomposition, the breakdown of dead plant and animal material, is a fundamental process that affects soil fertility and ecosystem carbon storage. Most of what is known about decomposition is from studies in high rainfall areas, but this knowledge does not translate well to dryland ecosystems. Some recent studies suggest solar ultra-violet radiation has a major influence on decomposition in drylands; however, other studies indicate the level of mixing of wind/water-transported soils with litter is the key factor. This project seeks to resolve these competing explanations through a series of laboratory studies and field experiments in Arizona designed to measure interactions among these factors. These linkages will be assessed in the context of woody plant encroachment into grasslands, a globally extensive vegetation change in drylands. This investigation will yield new insights into processes that affect soil fertility and carbon storage in drylands by combining the disciplines of plant community ecology, ecosystem science and earth science in a novel framework. The findings will be relevant nationally and internationally, as dryland ecosystems characterize major portions of the US and global land area, and may be significant carbon sinks. In addition to dissemination in the scientific community, results will be communicated to land management personnel and organizations through outreach programs. The study will provide training opportunities for four graduate and numerous undergraduate students. The collaborating institutions (University of Arizona, New Mexico State University, University of Kentucky and Loyola University) have substantial minority enrollments, and efforts will be made to recruit students from underrepresented groups.

分解是死动植物和动物材料的崩溃，是影响土壤生育能力和生态系统碳储存的基本过程。关于分解的大多数知识是来自高降雨区域的研究，但是这些知识不能很好地转化为旱地生态系统。最近的一些研究表明，太阳能紫外线辐射对旱地的分解有重大影响。但是，其他研究表明，风/水传输土壤与垃圾的混合水平是关键因素。该项目旨在通过亚利桑那州的一系列实验室研究和现场实验来解决这些竞争解释，旨在衡量这些因素之间的相互作用。这些联系将在木本植物侵占草原的背景下进行评估，这是旱地的全球广泛植被变化。这项调查将通过将植物社区生态学，生态系统科学和地球科学的学科结合到一个新颖的框架中，从而对影响旱地土壤生育能力和碳储存的过程产生新的见解。这些发现将在国内和国际上具有相关性，因为旱地生态系统是美国和全球土地地区的主要部分，并且可能是重要的碳汇。除了在科学界的传播外，还将通过外展计划向土地管理人员和组织传达结果。这项研究将为四名研究生和众多本科生提供培训机会。合作机构（亚利桑那大学，新墨西哥州大学，肯塔基大学和洛约拉大学）有大量的少数入学率，并将努力为招募代表性不足的团体的学生招募学生。