Acquisition of Instrumentation to Quantify the Effects of Global Change on Plant Roots and Ecosystem Processes

细根是陆地生态系统碳和养分收支的重要组成部分。微视频图像分析的最新进展使首次在自然和试验田条件下量化细根产量、寿命和死亡率成为可能。研究表明，植物的根系是动态的，并对大气中二氧化碳浓度、土壤温度和土壤氮素有效性的变化做出反应。人类造成的氮沉积是地球上工业地区的一个重要的环境问题，而大气二氧化碳和土壤温度的增加是全球环境变化的中心方面。由于我们能够量化细根种群，现在可以更好地了解大气二氧化碳、土壤温度和土壤氮素有效性对植物根系动态和生态系统水平反馈的影响。了解从根系到土壤和土壤微生物的碳和氮通量是陆地生态系统全球变化的一个关键方面。这项提案试图证明NSF支持购买仪器，以量化全球变化对植物根系和生态系统过程的影响。

Fine roots are an important component of the carbon and nutrient budgets of terrestrial ecosystems. Recent developments in microvideo image analysis have made it possible to quantify fine root production, longevity and mortality for the first time under natural and experimental field conditions. Studies have shown that the root systems of plants are dynamic and responsive to changing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, soil temperature, and soil nitrogen availability. Man-caused deposition of N is a significant environmental concern over industrial regions of the Earth, and increasing atmospheric CO2 and soil temperatures are central facets of changing global environments. Because of our ability to quantify fine root demography, it is now possible to better understand the effects of atmospheric CO2, soil temperature and soil nitrogen availability on plant root dynamics and ecosystem-level feedbacks. Understanding the flux of carbon and nitrogen from root systems to soil and soil microbes is a critical aspect of global change in terrestrial ecosystems. This proposal attempts to justify NSF support for acquisition of instrumentation to quantify effects of global change on plant root, and ecosystem processes.