LTREB: Patterns of Community and Population Change in Oldfields at the Hutcheson Memorial Forest Center

拟议的研究将实现三个目标。首先，它将继续进行贝尔继任研究(BSS)，至少持续到第38年。目前，这项研究是北美时间最长、时间最完整的奥德菲尔德演替研究之一。它由11块土地组成，每块土地包含48块永久地块。自1958年以来，一直在最古老的田野进行物种组成和盖度的抽样。因此，BSS数据在范围和密度上是独一无二的，但代表了生态学中最普遍的过程之一。第二，它将开发一个数据管理系统，能够在BSS收集新数据时容纳这些数据。将产生一个紧凑、易处理的数据库。这将鼓励分析和比较。第三，为了保证数据库的实用性，对数据进行了分析。这项工作将作为完善数据库的检查，并将检验关于继任的两个关键假设。这项研究将测试关于群落趋同和空间异质性随时间变化趋势的预测。这项工作的主要成果将是建立一个可靠和灵活的数据库，并检验演替理论中的两个关键问题。一旦数据库投入使用，将来就可以进行其他分析。这项研究最终将与其他长期研究，特别是实验研究中的模式进行比较。因此，通过确保北美时间最长和时间最密集的奥德菲尔德演替研究的存续和成果，将有可能为解决社区动态领域的长期问题和发现新的演替模式提供独特的机会。

The proposed research will accomplish three goals. First, it will continue the Buell Succession Study (BSS) until at least its 38th year. Currently this study is one of the longest, temporally most complete studies of oldfield succession in North America. It consists of 11 fields, each containing 48 permanent plots. Sampling of species composition and cover has been conducted continuously since 1958 in the oldest fields. The BSS data are therefore unique in scope and density, but represent one of the most universal processes in ecology. Second, it will develop a data management system capable of accommodating new data from the BSS as it is collected. A compact, tractable data base will be produced. This will encourage analysis and comparison. Third, in order to ensure utility of the data base, the data will be analyzed. This exercise will serve as a check for refinement of the data base, and will test two key hypotheses about succession. The study will test predictions about community convergence and trends of spatial heterogeneity through time. The principal product of the work will be a reliable and flexible data base and the test of two critical problems in succession theory. Once the data base is operational, other analyses can be undertaken in the future. The study will ultimately be compared to the patterns derived from this succession with those in other long term studies, especially experimental ones. Thus, by ensuring the survival and fruition of the longest and temporally densest study of oldfield succession in North America, a unique opportunity to resolve persistent problems in the area of community dynamics and to discover new patterns in succession will be possible.