International Research Fellowship Program: Algal Biodiversity and Landscape Patterns in Tropical Streams

0202673Bixby国际研究奖学金计划使美国科学家和工程师能够在国外进行三到二十四个月的研究。 该计划的奖项提供了联合研究的机会，以及使用国外独特或互补的设施，专业知识和实验条件。该奖项将支持Rebecca J. Bixby博士与Jose Vargas博士和Pedro Leon博士以及Ursula Wydrzycka博士分别在哥斯达黎加大学和哥斯达黎加国立大学进行为期两年的研究。 国际科学和工程局美洲方案为该项目提供支助，其目的是调查位于哥斯达黎加北方加勒比海斜坡低地的拉塞尔瓦生物站热带溪流中附着藻类（附着生物）的生物多样性和群落结构。 没有详细的藻类分类研究已在拉塞尔瓦进行。 这项工作将建立在正在进行的生态研究流在这个网站（和邻近地区），通过NSF的LTREB计划资助。 季节性的定性调查将侧重于微生境，取样基质，如植物，沉积物和岩石。 收集的分类学研究将产生详细的分类清单，包括新物种。 将从沿着磷梯度在溪流中沿着孵育一个月的定殖瓷砖中采集定量样品。 这些集合将被分析的社区结构和相关的溶质浓度。 这项比较研究的结果预计将显示不同磷水平下群落结构和多样性的变化。 莱昂博士是热带研究组织董事会主席，曾在拉塞尔瓦工作。 Wydrzycka博士是一名研究哥斯达黎加藻类的植物学教员。

0202673BixbyThe International Research Fellowship Program enables U.S. scientists and engineers to conduct three to twenty-four months of research abroad. The program's awards provide opportunities for joint research, and the use of unique or complementary facilities, expertise and experimental conditions abroad.This award will support an eight-month research fellowship to be done over two years by Dr. Rebecca J. Bixby working with Drs. Jose Vargas and Pedro Leon and Dr. Ursula Wydrzycka at Universidad de Costa Rica and Universidad Nacional respectively, in Costa Rica. Support for this project is provided by the Americas Program of the Office of International Science and Engineering.The objectives of this project are to investigate biodiversity and community structure of attached algae (periphyton) in tropical streams at La Selva Biological Station, located in lowlands on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean slope. No detailed taxonomic studies of algae have been conducted at La Selva. This work will build upon ongoing ecological studies of streams at this site (and adjacent environs), funded through NSF's LTREBProgram. Seasonal, qualitative surveys will focus on microhabitats, sampling substrates such as plants, sediment, and rocks. Taxonomic studies from collections will result in detailed taxa lists including new species. Quantitative samples will be taken from colonized tiles incubated for a month in streams along a phosphorus gradient. These collections will be analyzed for community structure and correlated with solute concentrations. Results from this comparative study are expected to show shifts in community structure and diversity with varying phosphorus levels.Dr. Vargas is an aquatic biologist. Dr. Leon is chair of the Organization of Tropical Studies' Board of Directors and has worked at La Selva. Dr. Wydrzycka is a botany faculty member working on Costa Rican algae.