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苔原类型碳通量的因素，这两种苔原类型在很大程度上根据底层土壤类型而有所不同：酸性与非酸性。 将确定导致每种苔原类型碳通量的因素，以便研究气候对景观植被以及随后的碳释放或封存的作用。 将进行现场、实验室和建模研究的结合，以检查控制每种苔原土壤类型中碳通量的因素。 将开发一个模型来研究未来气候变暖的可能情景，以便评估全球变暖在北极的作用。 这项研究对于了解气候对区域范围内苔原组成和随之而来的碳通量的影响至关重要。 目前对苔原土壤对碳通量影响的了解仅限于一种土壤类型，尽管另一种类型也很普遍。

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.