DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evaluation of Ecological Network Analysis using Stable sotopes.

这些PI建议评估生态网络分析(ENA)，这是一种用于描述生态系统中营养结构和追踪能量流动的建模技术。研究生的研究计划将实地和建模活动结合起来：(1)确定ENA检测营养关系变化的敏感性；(2)量化输入的不确定性对模型预测的影响；以及(3)使用独立的技术验证ENA。这项奖励将通过提供支持来分析碳(13C)和硫(34S)的稳定同位素，以补充即将从现有支持中获得的氮同位素(15N)数据，从而促进和加强验证工作。N、C和S同位素的联合使用将有助于改进对不同生物体使用的碳源的估计，并有助于测试(“验证”)替代的ENA算法。PIS希望提高对环境影响评估对科学和环境管理界的效用的整体理解。

These PIs propose to evaluate Ecological Network Analysis (ENA), a modeling technique used to characterize trophic structure and to trace energy flow in ecosystems. The graduate student's research plan combines field and modeling activities to: (1) determine the sensitivity of ENA to detect changes in trophic relationships; (2) quantify the effects of uncertainty of input on model predictions; and (3) validate ENA using independent techniques. This award will facilitate and enhance the validation effort by providing support to analyze stable isotopes of carbon (13C) and sulfur (34S) to complement nitrogen isotope (15N) data that will be forthcoming from existing support. The combined use of N, C and S isotopes will allow for improved estimates of carbon sources used by different organisms and testing ("validation") of alternative ENA algorithms. The PIs hope to improve overall understanding of the utility of ENA for scientific and environmental management communities.