Collaborative Research: Predicting Effects of Climate Warming on Stream Ecosystems Using Metabolic Theory and Iceland's Unique Geothermal Environment

合作研究：利用代谢理论和冰岛独特的地热环境预测气候变暖对河流生态系统的影响

• 批准号: 0949726
• 负责人: Wyatt Cross
• 金额: $ 72.96万
• 依托单位: Montana State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-07-01 至 2015-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0949726&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Predicting; Effects; Climate

Climate warming has been identified as one of the most important threats to freshwater ecosystems globally. Because temperature is the fundamental driver of nearly all biological processes, climate warming will likely have strong effects on freshwater ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide for humans. Despite recent theoretical advances that provide clear predictions about how organisms should respond to warming, our current understanding is hindered by (a) the short-term and small-scale nature of most previous studies and (b) the non-trivial practical challenges associated with experimental warming of freshwaters at the ecosystem scale. This study will take advantage of a unique geothermally-active watershed in Iceland that contains a steep gradient of stream temperatures and very little difference in solute chemistry. Using a landscape gradient study of "temperature-acclimated" streams, streamside manipulations, and an ecosystem-scale experiment, this study will quantify the effects of warming on critical ecosystem processes (ecosystem metabolism and nutrient cycling) and the flow of energy and elements through stream food webs. The proposed multi-scale design will produce much-needed data concerning the response of stream ecosystems to changes in temperature regime, benefitting society through increased understanding of how climate warming will influence freshwater ecosystems and the critical services they provide to humanity. The project will integrate research and education through training and mentoring of undergraduates, graduate students and a post-doctoral associate. In addition to communicating results through traditional outlets (publications, national/international meetings), findings will be presented to local grade schools, high schools, and the community at large with presentations, an interactive research blog, and semi-annual meetings with Icelandic colleagues.

气候变暖已被确定为全球淡水生态系统最重要的威胁之一。由于温度几乎是所有生物过程的基本驱动力，因此气候变暖可能会对淡水生态系统及其为人类提供的生态系统服务产生强大影响。尽管最近的理论进步提供了关于生物应如何应对变暖的明确预测，但我们目前的理解受到（a）大多数先前研究的短期和小规模性质的阻碍，以及（b）与生态系统量表上淡水的实验变暖相关的非琐事实践挑战。这项研究将利用冰岛独特的地热活动流域，其中包含陡峭的河流温度梯度，而溶质化学的差异很小。使用景观梯度研究，对“温度结型”流，溪流操纵和生态系统规模实验，该研究将量化变暖对关键生态系统过程（生态系统代谢和营养循环）的影响以及通过流食品网的能量和元素的流动。 拟议的多尺度设计将产生急需的数据，涉及流生态系统对温度制度变化的反应，从而通过对气候变暖如何影响淡水生态系统及其对人类提供的关键服务来使社会受益。该项目将通过培训和指导本科生，研究生和博士后同学来整合研究和教育。除了通过传统媒体（出版物，国家/国际会议）传达结果外，还将向当地的小学，高中和整个社区提出调查结果，其中包含互动研究博客以及与冰岛同事的半年一次会议。