CAREER: Hydrologic Regulation of Wetland Biogeochemistry and Ecology and the Impacts of Climate Change

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ABSTRACT PROPOSAL # : DEB-9701714 INVESTIGATOR(S) : HAMILTON INSTITUTION: MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY The aims of this research are to investigate linkages between hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecology of wetlands in glacial landscapes, with the long-term aim of developing a predictive understanding of the relative sensitivity of different wetlands to climate change. The research plan involves monitoring of a large number of different wetlands in relation to annual variation in climate, and as part of the NSF CAREER program it includes significant student participation through class projects and independent research. The wetlands to be studied are all in central Michigan. The general hypothesis is that the variability among wetlands can be explained by variability in a small number of key hydrologic processes including groundwater inputs, hydraulic residence time, and seasonal pattern of flooding and desiccation. These same variables will also control responses to climate change.