RUI:Biodiversity and Ecology of Tree Canopy Biota in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

RUI：大烟山国家公园树冠生物群的生物多样性和生态学

• 批准号: 0343447
• 负责人: Harold Keller
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Central Missouri
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-04-15 至 2008-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0343447&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Biodiversity; Ecology; Tree; Canopy

The objectives of this proposed research project are to:1- complete the first comprehensive survey and inventory of treecanopy biodiversity from three meters to the upper canopy for biotarepresented by myxomycetes, other mycetozoan groups (protostelids anddictyostelids), fungi, mosses, liverworts, lichens, ferns, selectedinsect groups, and molluscs in the Great Smoky Mountains NationalPark2- assemble a multidisciplinary research team of experts who willcollect, identify, and curate this diverse group of organisms andserve as mentors who will give special lectures, slide shows, hands onidentification of specimens, and field demonstrations to aid studentsin the recognition of specimens and collection of samples;3-compare the assemblages of tree canopy organisms with thosefound on ground sites;4-search for species new to science in all of the targeted groupsof organisms;5- sample for biota along vertical transects of individual trees atdifferent heights to quantify the association of the relative speciescomposition, abundance, and diversity of these assemblages with theavailable environmental characteristics (host tree species, vegetationtype, height class, light, pH, and humidity);6- compare the tree canopy-targeted groups and assemblages ondifferent tree species;7- provide research experiences for students that will enhanceopportunities for postgraduate study.This study will determine if the biota (myxomycetes, protostelids,dictyostelids, fungi, mosses, liverworts, lichens, and ferns), ofspecies assemblages, and communities found on the bark of living treesand vines above three meters differ from those found in habitats onground sites. This project will assist in determining if theseassemblages and communities can be predicted based on measuredenvironmental parameters that will provide a basis for futurecomparisons with forests that are harvested using forestry managementstrategies. The methodology used to obtain samples from the treecanopy will be the double rope climbing technique that will enable thecollector to access the treetops. Collections will be made from thetree canopy and also from moist chamber cultures in the laboratory. Statistical analysis of species assemblages identified from each treewill be compared. These species assemblages and communities are important since they arethe first species to show signs of environmental degradation such asacid rain, sulfur and nitrogen dioxide deposits, and ozone. Datagenerated from this project will help park managers assess theenvironmental impacts of human factors not only in old growth forestsbut with any forest vegetation type. This project will involve fourRUI (Research in Undergraduate Institutions) institutions collaborating inthe study of the different targeted groups of organisms with aninternational component of experts from Norway, Russia, and Lithuaniawho will provide species identification for specific groups oforganisms. Women and minorities who are underrepresented in fieldbiology research will participate along with volunteers, park interns,undergraduate and graduate students, and key project personnel. Results will be highlighted in park interpretive exhibitions, websiteoutreach, news media coverage (print and television), publication of articles inpopular magazines, in refereed journals that will send a powerfulconservation message for biodiversity.

本拟议研究项目的目标是：1-完成对大洋地区从三米到树冠上部的生物多样性的第一次全面调查和清查，以粘菌类、其他菌类动物类群（原生菌类和盘基类动物）、真菌、苔藓、地钱、地衣、蕨类植物、选定的昆虫类群和软体动物为代表。 大烟山国家公园2-组建一个由专家组成的多学科研究团队，他们将收集、识别和管理这一多样化的生物体，并作为导师进行特别讲座、幻灯片放映、标本鉴定和现场演示，以帮助学生识别标本和收集样本；3-将树冠生物的组合与地面上发现的生物进行比较；4-寻找物种 所有目标生物群体的科学新知识；5- 沿着不同高度的单棵树的垂直横断面采集生物群样本，以量化这些组合的相对物种组成、丰度和多样性与现有环境特征（宿主树种、植被类型、高度等级、光照、pH 和湿度）的关联；6- 比较不同高度的树冠目标群体和组合 树种；7-为学生提供研究经验，这将增加研究生学习的机会。这项研究将确定在三米以上的活树和藤蔓的树皮上发现的生物群（粘菌、原骨菌、盘基菌、真菌、苔藓、地钱、地衣和蕨类植物）、物种组合和群落是否与地面栖息地中发现的不同。 该项目将协助确定是否可以根据测量的环境参数来预测这些组合和群落，这将为未来与使用林业管理策略采伐的森林进行比较提供基础。 从树冠获取样本的方法将是双绳攀爬技术，使采集者能够到达树顶。 收集品将从树冠以及实验室的湿室培养物中收集。将比较从每棵树中识别出的物种组合的统计分析。这些物种组合和群落非常重要，因为它们是第一个显示出酸雨、硫和二氧化氮沉积以及臭氧等环境退化迹象的物种。 该项目生成的数据将帮助公园管理者评估人为因素对环境的影响，不仅对古老的森林，而且对任何森林植被类型。 该项目将涉及四个 RUI（本科院校研究）机构，与来自挪威、俄罗斯和立陶宛的国际专家合作研究不同的目标生物群体，他们将为特定生物群体提供物种鉴定。 现场生物学研究中代表性不足的女性和少数族裔将与志愿者、公园实习生、本科生和研究生以及关键项目人员一起参与。 结果将在公园解释性展览、网站推广、新闻媒体报道（印刷品和电视）、在流行杂志和审稿期刊上发表文章中得到强调，这将发出强有力的生物多样性保护信息。