Collaborative Research: Moist Acidic vs. Non-Acidic Tundra: Why does the Vegetation Composition Differ and What are the Consequences for Ecosystem Carbon Storage?

该项目将研究控制两种冻土带碳通量的因素，这两种冻土带在很大程度上是根据下垫土壤类型来区分的：酸性和非酸性。将确定导致来自每种冻土带类型的碳通量的因素，以便审查气候对景观植被和随后的碳释放或固存的作用。将进行实地、实验室和模型研究相结合的研究，以检查控制每种冻土带土壤类型的碳通量的因素。将开发一个模型，以观察未来气候变暖的可能情况，以便评估全球变暖在北极的作用。该研究对了解气候对冻土带组成和碳通量的影响具有重要意义。目前对冻土带土壤对碳通量影响的认识仅限于一种土壤类型，尽管另一种土壤类型也很普遍。

This project will study factors controlling carbon flux from two tundra types that are largely differentiated on the basis of the underlying soil type: acidic vs. non-acidic. The factors leading to flux of carbon from each tundra type will be determined in order to examine the role of climate on landscape vegetation and subsequent carbon release or sequestration. A combination of field, laboratory, and modeling studies will be preformed to examine the factors controlling carbon flux in each tundra soil type. A model will be developed to look at possible future scenarios for warmer climates so that the role global warming in the Arctic may be assessed. The study is critical for understanding climate impacts on tundra composition and concomitant carbon flux on a regional scale. Current understanding of tundra soil effects on carbon flux are limited to only one soil type in spite of the prevalence of the other type as well.