Collaborative Research: Recovery of Ecosystem Structure and Function Following Exotic Species Eradication

Roland Knapp DEB 0075448和Orlando Sarnelle DEB 0075509合作研究：生态系统结构和功能的恢复跟随外来物种灭绝拟议的研究考察了生态系统如何应对外来物种的灭绝，而不是入侵。具体地说，这项提案考察了加利福尼亚州内华达山脉的高山湖泊系统在根除外来鲑鱼后的恢复情况。PI将询问，在外来鱼类被移走后，高山湖泊原生的脊椎动物和无脊椎动物物种是否会回归。将使用一项长期的全湖实验，在三个实验湖泊中成功地捕捞外来鱼类，同时在三个对照湖泊继续放养鱼类。将继续监测这六个湖泊的动物群落，监测工作始于1996年根除鱼类之前，以便确定恢复速度，并更好地了解促进或阻碍恢复的物种的生活史属性。PI还将询问物种组合的变化如何影响高山湖泊生态系统的功能。他们将继续对全湖实验进行湖沼学监测，以评估捕捞鱼类后营养物质和藻类生物量的变化。这项研究的结果对全世界水生生态系统的恢复具有重要意义。

ABSTRACTRoland Knapp DEB 0075448andOrlando Sarnelle DEB 0075509Collaborative Research: Recovery of Ecosystem Structure and FunctionFollowing Exotic Species EradicationThe proposed research examines how ecosystems respond, not to invasion, but to the elimination of an exotic species. Specifically, this proposal examines the recovery of alpine lake systems in the Sierra Nevada, California, after the eradication of exotic trout. The PI's will ask whether vertebrate and invertebrate species native to alpine lakes return after the removal of exotic fish. A long-term whole-lake experiment will be used in which exotic fish have been successfully removed from three experimental lakes, while fish stocking continues in three control lakes. Monitoring of faunal assemblages in these six lakes, monitoring begun in 1996 before fish eradication, will continue in order to determine the rate of recovery and to better understand the life history attributes of species that facilitate or hinder recovery. The PI's will also ask how changes in species assemblages influence the functioning of alpine lake ecosystems. They will continue limnological monitoring of the whole-lake experiment to evaluate changes in nutrients and algal biomass following fish removal. The results of this study have important implications for the restoration of aquatic ecosystems worldwide.