Forest Dynamics of Riparian Corridors

美国中西部的森林河床是该地区整个生态系统的重要组成部分。它们是水流动和滞留的关键决定因素，而且它们受到诸如筑坝和渠化等人为变化的强烈影响。它们也是影响植被物种变化的主要地点。马兰森教授将研究爱荷华州筑坝和管理较少的河流中的苗木建立和树木生长，并确定苗木建立和生长、洪水、土壤水分和光照之间的关系，以及与物种扩散的关系。将利用现场数据建立一个数学模型，模拟不同类型的河流廊道的苗木建立和树木生长。马兰森教授的研究将扩大我们对在有管理和无管理的河岸地区产生短期和长期植被变化的过程的理解。

Forested stream beds in the American Midwest are important components of the overall ecosystem of the region. They are critical determinants of water flow and retention, and they are strongly affected by human-induced changes such as dams and channelization. They are also major sites that affect vegetation species changes. Professor Malanson will examine seedling establishment and tree growth in both dammed and less managed rivers in Iowa and determine the relationships among seedling establishment and growth, flooding, soil moisture, and light, in relation to species dispersal. Field data will be used to develop a mathematical model that simulates seedling establishment and tree growth in different kinds of river corridors. Professor Malanson's research will enlarge our understanding of processes producing short- and long-term vegetational change in both managed and unmanaged riparian areas.