LTREB: Spatial Dynamics of the Moose-Forest-Soil Ecosystem on Isle Royale

LTREB：皇家岛驼鹿-森林-土壤生态系统的空间动态

• 批准号: 0414260
• 负责人: John Pastor
• 金额: $ 30万
• 依托单位: University of Minnesota Duluth
• 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: 2004-08-15 至 2009-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0414260&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: LTREB; Spatial; Dynamics; Moose; Forest

ABSTRACTLTREB: Spatial dynamics of the moose-forest-soil ecosystem on Isle RoyaleJohn Pastor, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluthand Yosef Cohen, University of Minnesota, St. PaulMoose, an important game species in northern Minnesota, can affect their habitat by eating hardwoods, thereby tending to convert the forest to conifers. The nutrient-poor needle litter of conifers depresses the fertility of the soil, which in turn can affect the recovery of the preferred hardwood species after moose populations decline. To study this problem, several grids of sampling points were established on Isle Royale National Park to monitor changes in distribution of vegetation and soil fertility during a moose population cycle. During the next five years of funding, vegetation and soil changes will be documented during the recovery phase of the moose population after a crash from 2500 animals in 1996 to 500 animals in 1998. This work is highly cited in the scientific literature and in several biology textbooks as an example of how large mammals can affect the productivity and soil fertility of ecosystems. This project will fund a Ph.D student and give undergraduate students the benefit of research in a National Park famous as a textbook example of ecological interactions. A model of moose foraging developed in this work will also be modified as a teaching tool. Finally, data and knowledge from this project will be made available to land and wildlife managers to assist in management of a popular National Park.

驼鹿是明尼苏达州北部重要的狩猎物种，驼鹿以硬木为食，会影响其栖息地，从而导致森林向针叶林的转变。针叶树凋落物缺乏营养，会降低土壤的肥力，进而影响驼鹿种群减少后首选硬木物种的恢复。为了研究这一问题，在皇家岛国家公园建立了几个采样点网格，以监测驼鹿种群周期中植被分布和土壤肥力的变化。在接下来的五年里，在驼鹿数量从1996年的2500只锐减到1998年的500只之后的恢复阶段，将记录下植被和土壤的变化。这项工作在科学文献和几本生物学教科书中被高度引用，作为大型哺乳动物如何影响生态系统的生产力和土壤肥力的一个例子。该项目将资助一名博士生，并让本科生在一个以生态相互作用的教科书范例而闻名的国家公园进行研究。在这项工作中开发的驼鹿觅食模型也将被修改为教学工具。最后，这个项目的数据和知识将提供给土地和野生动物管理者，以协助管理一个受欢迎的国家公园。