Collaborative Research: Controls of Ecosystem Level Functions in a Lichen-Oak Woodland

假设树冠地衣，作为基石 物种，可以控制营养物质的保存和保留 在森林生态系统中， 生产将受到考验。 在蓝橡树林地， 占加州6.5%的地衣， menziesii，可以超过700公斤/公顷的树冠。 这一拟议 这项工作旨在证明这种非氮的重要性， 固定冠层真菌净初级生产力和养分 在橡树林生态系统中循环 复制的 析因实验将施加哪些冠层地衣和 地衣凋落物在两个地点进行处理， 蒙特利县不同程度的海洋影响， 加州。 对冠层地衣生物量的操作将测试 假设Ramalina增强了营养输入， 气氛 例如，大气中的气溶胶，雾 水和气体的Ramalina可能会增加营养物质的输入， 整个森林。 操作Ramalina的量 这将测试假设， 这种地衣的分解控制着分解， 养分循环到橡树。 增长效率和 橡树的养分利用效率也将在 试验田。 调查人员还将制定一项 简单的技术外推结果的橡树林地 不同的密度，并考虑在规模不等， 区域评价。 其结果将对 了解特定物种在功能中的作用 整个生态系统的特性，以及对 栎属林冠过程对生态系统功能的影响 林地。此外，本研究可被视为一个案例研究 对于任何以地衣为主的树冠， 附生植物在生态系统中的功能。 研究项目团队非常优秀。 体制 住宿是相当不错的，和住宿的工作在 黑斯廷斯自然历史保护区就足够了

The hypothesis that canopy lichens, acting as keystone species, can control the conservation and retention of nutrients in forest ecosystems and affect nutrient cycling and primary production will be tested. In blue oak woodlands, a community that occupies 6.5% of California, biomass of the lichen, Ramalina menziesii, can exceed 700 kg/ha in the canopy. This proposed work seeks to demonstrate the importance of this non-nitrogen- fixing canopy epiphyte in net primary production and nutrient cycling throughout this oak woodland ecosystem. A replicated factorial experiment will be imposed by which canopy lichen and lichen litterfall are manipulated at two sites, representing different degrees of maritime influence in Monterey County, California. Manipulations of the canopy lichen biomass will test the hypothesis that Ramalina enhances nutrient inputs from the atmosphere. For instance, the catch of atmospheric aerosols, fog water and gases by Ramalina may enhance the input of nutrients to the entire woodland. Manipulations of the amount of Ramalina that is deposited as litterfall will test the hypothesis that the decomposition of this lichen controls the decomposition and cycling of nutrients to the oak trees. The growth efficiency and nutrient-use efficiency of the oak trees will also be examined in the experimental plots. The investigators will also develop a simple technique for extrapolating results to oak woodlands of differing density and to considerations at scales ranging to regional evaluations. The results will be significant to understanding the role of particular species in the functional properties of entire ecosystems, and to the understanding of canopy processes to other aspects of ecosystem function in oak woodlands. In addition, this study may be viewed as a case study for any lichen dominated canopy and will have implications for the function of epiphytes in general in ecosystems. The research project team is excellent. Institutional accommodations are quite good, and accommodations for the work at the Hastings Natural History Reservation will be adequate.