Doctoral Dissertation Research: Integrating Image Spectroscopy and Microbial Biogeochemistry to Analyze Woody Shrub Encroachment

博士论文研究：整合图像光谱学和微生物生物地球化学来分析木本灌木侵蚀

• 批准号: 1735693
• 负责人: Rachel Gallery
• 金额: $ 1.6万
• 依托单位: University of Arizona
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2017-08-01 至 2020-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1735693&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Doctoral; Dissertation; Research; Integrating; Image

This doctoral dissertation research will investigate the landscape-scale effects of shrub encroachment on plant and soil nutrient dynamics in a semi-arid region. Shrub encroachment, a persistent threat to dryland ecosystems worldwide, fundamentally alters ecosystem processes by changing plant community diversity, net primary productivity, and soil functioning. This doctoral dissertation research project will use innovative methods that combine hyperspectral remotely sensed data with field measures of soil biogeochemistry and microbial parameters to infer foliar chemistry and quantify the impacts of shrub encroachment on nutrient dynamics in drylands. The project will provide a more holistic understanding of the spatial dynamics of microbial communities and plant communities that are linked by biogeochemical cycling. The project includes a strong educational component by providing opportunities for K-12 training and ongoing outreach and education initiatives with local underserved communities. In addition, K-12 teachers will be involved in inquiry-based STEM curriculum development. As a Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement award, this award will provide support to enable a promising student to establish a strong independent research career.Hyperspectral imagery offers a unique opportunity to study large scale shifts in ecosystem structure and their effects on ecosystem services. The doctoral student will integrate land cover remote sensing data products with in situ measurements of plant and soil nutrient dynamics to determine how shrub encroachment affects plant chemistry, soil microbial communities and activity, and ecosystem processes, across the landscape in southeastern Arizona. Outcomes from this project will determine (1) the link between soil nutrients, topography and the abundance of shrubs and grasses; (2) the potential effects of shrub encroachment on landscape-scale nutrient dynamics; and (3) the utility of imaging spectroscopy to inform land management practices. This integrative approach offers the opportunity to revolutionize research on soil nutrient availability and biogeochemical cycling at landscape scales, and monitor the effects of different vegetation encroachment management strategies.

这项博士学位论文研究将研究灌木侵占对半干旱地区植物和土壤养分动力学的景观规模的影响。 灌木侵占，对全球旱地生态系统的持续威胁，从根本上改变了生态系统过程，通过改变植物社区的多样性，净初级生产力和土壤功能。 该博士学位论文研究项目将使用创新的方法，将高光谱远程感知的数据与土壤生物地球化学和微生物参数的现场测量结合起来来推断叶面化学，并量化灌木侵占对旱地营养动态的影响。 该项目将对由生物地球化学循环联系起来的微生物群落和植物群落的空间动态提供更全面的理解。 该项目包括通过为当地服务不足的社区提供K-12培训以及正在进行的外展和教育计划的机会，包括强大的教育组成部分。 此外，K-12教师将参与基于询问的STEM课程开发。 作为博士学位论文研究改进奖，该奖项将提供支持，使有前途的学生能够建立强大的独立研究职业。HyperspectralImagery为研究生态系统结构的大规模转变及其对生态系统服务的影响提供了独特的机会。 博士生将将土地覆盖的遥感数据产品与植物和土壤养分动力学的原位测量整合在一起，以确定灌木侵占如何影响植物化学，土壤微生物群落和活动以及跨亚利桑那州东南部景观的生态系统过程。 该项目的结果将确定（1）土壤养分，地形和丰富的灌木和草之间的联系； （2）灌木侵占对景观规模养分动力学的潜在影响； （3）成像光谱的实用性，以告知土地管理实践。 这种综合方法为革新研究土壤养分的可用性和生物地球化学循环的研究提供了机会，并监视不同植被侵占管理策略的影响。