CRUI: Biogeochemical and Ecological Processes Within a Reservoir Littoral Zone

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This proposal presents a plan for enhancing the undergraduate research experience at Murray State University. The research focus of the proposal is interdisciplinary studies of reservoir ecosystems and is a collaborative effort between junior and senior faculty from the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Geosciences. Specifically, faculty mentors and undergraduate participants will conduct research on the effects of human-induced water fluctuations on the littoral zone ecosystem of Kentucky Lake, a large southeastern reservoir. Using integrated, collaborative observations and mesocosm experiments, we will determine how such fluctuation influences ecosystem function across three levels of biological organization. Because only sparse ecosystem research has been conducted on reservoirs, this study will provide important new data on an aquatic system that is ubiquitous worldwide. Furthermore, this study will lead to the training of ten outstanding undergraduates per year, preparing them for graduate school and scientific careers. It will also lead to improved curricular development at Murray State through the introduction of a new interdisciplinary course and workshop series. This proposal builds upon previous efforts in undergraduate research and education through Murray State's Center for Reservoir Research, and utilizes a new Glasshouse/Mesocosm facility, which was recently awarded to Murray State by the NSF.