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.

气候变暖已被认为是全球淡水生态系统最重要的威胁之一。由于温度是几乎所有生物过程的基本驱动因素，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烈影响。尽管最近的理论进展提供了关于生物体如何应对变暖的明确预测，但我们目前的理解受到以下因素的阻碍：（a）大多数先前研究的短期和小规模性质以及（b）与气候变暖相关的不平凡的实际挑战生态系统规模淡水变暖的实验。这项研究将利用冰岛独特的地热活跃流域，该流域的河流温度梯度陡峭，溶质化学差异很小。通过对“温度适应”溪流的景观梯度研究、溪边操作和生态系统规模的实验，本研究将量化变暖对关键生态系统过程（生态系统代谢和养分循环）以及能量和元素流动的影响流动食物网。 拟议的多尺度设计将产生急需的有关河流生态系统对温度变化的响应的数据，通过加深对气候变暖将如何影响淡水生态系统及其为人类提供的关键服务的了解来造福社会。该项目将通过对本科生、研究生和博士后的培训和指导，将研究和教育结合起来。除了通过传统渠道（出版物、国家/国际会议）传达结果外，研究结果还将通过演示、互动研究博客以及与冰岛同事举行的半年度会议等方式向当地小学、高中和整个社区展示。