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

摘要：皇家岛驼鹿森林土壤生态系统的空间动态约翰牧师，明尼苏达大学杜卢斯，德卢斯和约瑟夫科恩，明尼苏达大学，圣保罗驼鹿，在北方明尼苏达州的一个重要的游戏物种，可以影响他们的栖息地，通过吃硬木，从而往往把森林针叶树。针叶树的针叶凋落物营养贫乏，降低了土壤的肥力，这反过来又会影响驼鹿种群减少后首选硬木物种的恢复。为了研究这个问题，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。在今后五年的资助期间，将记录驼鹿种群从1996年的2500只减少到1998年的500只后恢复阶段的植被和土壤变化。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，该项目的数据和知识将提供给土地和野生动物管理人员，以协助管理一个受欢迎的国家公园。

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.