RUI: Investigation of Interactions between Autotrophs and Heterotrophs in Periphyton attached to Emergent Plant Detritus and their Effects on Wetland Plant Decay

湿地植物在生长过程中吸收和同化大量的养分。它们也通过光合作用获得大量的能量。当湿地植物活着的时候，植物体内储存的营养和能量很少被其他生物消耗。相反，大部分能量和营养物质只有在植物衰老和死亡后才能传递。因此，植物凋落物分解是决定湿地保留和转化营养物质（即净化水）的能力及其维持更高营养水平（包括野生动物）的能力的重要特征。生长在死植物上的微生物强烈地参与了分解过程。我们的研究将测量与突发性植物腐烂相关的三种主要微生物类型（细菌、真菌和藻类）的重要性，并研究它们之间的潜在相互作用如何影响湿地植物凋落物的整体分解和养分循环。更好地了解植物分解可以为湿地带来新的管理策略。

Wetland plants absorb and assimilate large amounts of nutrients during their growth. They also obtain large amounts of energy through photosynthesis. While wetland plants are alive, little of the nutrients and energy stored within the plants is consumed by other organisms. Instead, much of this energy and nutrients is passed on only after plant senescence and death. Thus, plant litter decomposition is an important characteristic for determining a wetland's ability to retain and transform nutrients (i.e., purify water) and its ability to sustain higher trophic levels, including wildlife. Microorganisms growing on dead plants are strongly involved in the decomposition process. Our research will measure the importance of three major types of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and algae) associated with emergent plant decay, and investigate how their potential interactions affect overall plant litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in wetlands. Better understanding of plant decomposition could lead to new management strategies for wetlands.