Collaborative Research: Organic Carbon Dynamics and Trophic Pathways in a Low-Gradient River-Floodplain Ecosystem

水文情势和温度的影响 低梯度黑水生产和分解过程 将对河流洪泛区生态系统进行调查。 主要 这项研究的目的是建立一个模型来预测 绿色植物生产的规模，以及碳（能源） 与消费者和分解者活动相关的动态， 这些生态系统是非生物条件的函数。结果 从以前的国家科学基金会资助的研究将提供大部分的数据 needed需要to build建立the model模型. 新的领域和实验室研究将 提供对模型至关重要的数据- 建设工作，但在现有的数据集， 由Meyer和Benke或在文献中开发。 在过去的六年里，迈耶和本克研究了 奥吉奇河有机碳动态和营养途径 在格鲁吉亚较低的沿海平原的河流及其泛滥平原。 在这项新的研究中，他们将综合他们以前的工作， 一个模型，使用两个非生物的“驱动”变量，“水动力学” 制度”和温度来预测一系列的生物 系统的特性，包括：系统主要 生产和呼吸，次级生产， 细菌的动力学 如果模型是精心制作的， 是一个有用的工具，可以清楚地概述可能的影响， 美国东南部黑水河的生物学 筑坝、疏浚等扰动状态及变化 在与发电厂冷却相关的热状态下。 新的实地和实验室研究将解决以下问题 问题：溶解有机碳对细菌的可用性 河流的水柱;原生动物在控制中的作用 细菌种群通过消费;的重要性， 原生动物作为大型无脊椎动物的食物来源; 河漫滩的重要性二次生产。 这个新 研究是我们理解结构的关键， 黑水河的功能。 将进行这些研究的研究小组是强大的。 迈耶斯博士和本克博士都是经验丰富的溪流生态学家。 Weigert是建模任务的顾问，他是一个世界- 公认的生态模型。 机构设置 该项目将提供良好科学互动， 同事和相关研究的协同环境。 的 生态系统研究计划建议授予这笔赠款。

The influence of both hydrologic regime and temperature on production and decomposition processes in low-gradient blackwater river-floodplain ecosystems will be investigated. The major goal of this research is to develop a model to predict the magnitude of green plant production, and the carbon (energy) dynamics associated with consumer and decomposer activities in these ecosystems as a function of abiotic conditions. Results from previous NSF-funded research will provide most of the data neededto build the model. New field and laboratory research will be conducted to supply data that is essential to the model- building effort, but is unavailable either in extant data sets developed by Meyer and Benke or in the literature. For the past six years Meyer and Benke have studied the organic carbon dynamics and trophic pathways in the Ogeechchee River and its floodplain in the lower coastal plain of Georgia. In this new research they will synthesize their previous work in a model that uses two abiotic "driving" variables, "hydrodynamic regime" and temperature to predict a series of biotic characteristics of the system including; system primary production and respiration, secondary production, and the dynamics of bacteria. If the model is carefully crafted it will be a useful tool for clearly outlining the possible affects on the biology of black water rivers of the southeastern United States of disturbances such as damming and dredging, and changes in thermal-regime like those associated with power-plant cooling. New field and laboratory research will address the following issues: availability of dissolved organic carbon to bacteria in ariver's water column; the role of protozoa in controlling bacterial populations through consumption; the importance of protozoa as food sources for macroinvertebrates; and the importance secondary production in the floodplain. This new research is key to our understanding of the structure and function of blackwater rivers. The research team that will conduct these studies is strong. Drs. Meyers and Benke are experienced stream ecologists, and Dr. Weigert, a consultant on the modeling task, is a world- recognized ecological modeler. The institutional settings for the project will provide excellent scientific interaction and a synergistic environment of colleagues and related research. The Ecosystem Studies Program recommends award of this grant.