Program Improvement in Tropical Biology

该项目将研究干扰对热带雨林生态系统的长期影响，高辐射对热带树木幼苗光合作用的影响，以及热带特有生物的系统研究。滑坡地区植被恢复模式的研究将继续进行，植物物种多样性将作为大小、海拔和微生境的函数进行研究。通过将早期和晚期演替树种移植到开放的滑坡中心、部分再定植的滑坡边缘和林隙中，比较其生理反应。营养物质将被添加到各种系统中，以检查营养限制在植被恢复中的作用。这项关于干扰如何在创造和维持雨林多样性中发挥重要作用的综合调查将显著提高一个以少数民族为主的机构的研究能力。主要研究人员受过良好的培训，并在可靠的评审期刊上发表过文章。从事该项目的教师和学生将进一步加强这些研究技能，以改善该机构的热带生物学计划。

This Research Improvement in Minority Institutions (RIMI) project will examine the long-term effects of disturbance on tropical rain forest ecosystems, the effects of high irradiance on photosynthesis in tropical tree seedlings, and the systematic studies of endemic tropical organisms. Studies on the patterns of revegetation on landslide areas will continue and plant species diversity will be examined as a function of size, elevation, and microhabitat. The physiological responses of early and late successional tree species will be compared by transplating them into the open landslide center, partially recolonized landslide edges, and into treefall gaps. Nutrients will be added to the various systems to examine the role of nourishment limitations in revegetation. This comprehensive investigation of how disturbance may play a major role in creating and maintaining diversity in rain forests will significantly increase the research capability of a predominantly minority institution. The principal investigators have excellent training and have published in solid refereed journals. Faculty and students working on this project will further strengthen those research skills for improving the institution's tropical biology program.