Historical Factors Affecting Secondary Succession on the North Carolina Piedmont (Ecology)

次生植物演替机制的研究一般集中在由物种特征和偶然事件决定的机械和随机过程上。这些过程不能解释的变异通常归因于未定义的历史因素。这项研究将明确地关注这些历史因素，因为它们在过去的两个世纪里影响了北卡罗来纳州皮埃蒙特的演替。过去的植被将通过对来自旧的、未受干扰的农场池塘的沉积物的花粉分析和档案研究来重建。从这些分析中得出的特定因子将通过森林模拟模型与演替联系起来，以预测它们对演替模式的影响。然后将这些模式与杜克森林的数据进行比较。这样的研究将提高我们理解和预测森林组成变化的能力。罗素博士将教授一个关于人类对环境影响历史的植物学/历史系联合研讨会和一个关于妇女在植物学和生态学中的作用的短期课程。她还将以花粉分析为基础，对美国东北部最近的植被历史进行客座讲座，并将对植物学、历史和妇女研究项目进行客座讲座。该项目进一步推进了VPW计划的目标，即(1)为女性提供在工程和NSF支持的科学学科中发展职业的机会；(2)通过为在工业、政府和学术机构工作的女性科学家和工程师提供更大的知名度，鼓励女性在科学和工程领域追求职业。通过鼓励妇女参与科学，这是对国家未来科学活力的宝贵投资。

Research on the mechanisms of secondary plant succession is generally focused on mechanistic and stochastic processes determined by species characteristics and chance events. Variation not explained by these processes is often attributed to undefined historical factors. This research will focus explicitly on these historical factors as they have affected succession on the North Carolina Piedmont over the last two centuries. Past vegetation will be reconstructed using pollen analysis of sediment from old, undisturbed farm ponds and archival studies. Specific factors from these analyses will be related to succession through forest simulation models to predict their effects on patterns of succession. These patterns will then be compared with data from the Duke Forest. Such a study will improve our ability to understand and predict changes in forest composition. Dr. Russell will teach a joint botany/history department seminar on the history of human impact on the environment and a short course on the roles of women in botany and ecology. She will also present a guest lecture on recent vegetational history of the northeastern U.S., based on pollen analysis, and will give guest lectures in botany, history and the women's studies programs. This project furthers VPW program objectives which are (1) to provide opportunities for women to advance their careers in engineering and in the disciplines of science supported by NSF and (2) to encourage women to pursue careers in science and engineering by providing greater visibility for women scientists and engineers employed in industry, government, and academic institutions. By encouraging the participation of women in science, it is a valuable investment in the Nation's future scientific vitality.