CAREER: Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic N-Deposition on the Carbon Cycling of Southern Californian Semi-Arid Shrublands

该项目将生态学研究与大学研究生和本科生教学相结合，评估来自化石燃料排放的大气氮(N)输入如何改变南加州半干旱灌丛的碳(C)循环。大气氮肥与北方森林的衰退有关。然而，大气氮肥对西部灌木丛的影响还没有得到充分的量化，尽管这些生态系统暴露在一些世界上最高的大气氮污染水平之下。该项目将利用实地观测和操作研究来评估生态系统结构和功能对大气氮肥的变化，并提供对生态系统反应的机械理解。反过来，实地研究将大大加强陆地生态学的讲座和实验室课程，并为学生提供一个机会，积极调查人类活动对具有区域重要性的生态系统碳循环的影响。

This project integrates ecological research with university graduate and undergraduate instruction to assess how inputs of atmospheric nitrogen (N) from fossil fuel emission alter the carbon (C) cycling of southern Californian semi-arid shrublands. Atmospheric N fertilization has been implicated in the decline of northern forests. However, the effects of atmospheric N fertilization on western shrublands have not been adequately quantified even though these ecosystems are exposed to some of the highest atmospheric N pollution levels in the world. This project will employ field observational and manipulative studies to assess changes in ecosystem structure and function to atmospheric N fertilization and provide a mechanistic understanding of the ecosystem response. In turn, the field studies will significantly enhance lecture and laboratory curricula in terrestrial ecology and provide students an opportunity to actively investigate the impact of human activities on the C cycling of ecosystems that are regionally important.