LTREB: Hydrologic-Nutrient Cycle Interaction in Small Undisturbed and Human-Manipulated Ecosystems

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The goal of this study is to continue to collect data to add to the unique, long-term (39 years) record of the chemistry of atmospheric deposition (including rain, snow, dry deposition) of the stream, lake and ground water in the Hubbard Brook Valley, New Hampshire. These data will be used to evaluate the biological and chemical response to, and recovery from, disturbances such as acid rain, forest cutting, ice storms, and experimental manipulations of entire watersheds. The long-term record of duration of ice-cover on Mirror Lake provides an important monitor of global climate change. Questions that will be addressed with these data over the next 5 years fall into two major categories: 1) how does the Hubbard Brook forest and ecosystem respond to disturbances including acid deposition, climate change, and road salt pollution?, and 2) how quickly to different aspects of this ecosystem respond to, and recover from, these disturbances? Broader impacts of this study extend to education, outreach, and the formulation of national environmental policy. The long-term records generated provide a necessary perspective to decision makers wrestling with solutions to major environmental issues. This long-term research program also provides a unique education and training opportunity for undergraduate students. Local middle-school classes use data from this study, and the interaction with wider school groups will be facilitated by the 'Education Resources' site on the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study web page.