Long Term Ecological Research: The Landscape Continuum Model: A Biogeochemical Paradigm for High Elevation Ecosystems

长期生态研究：景观连续体模型：高海拔生态系统的生物地球化学范式

• 批准号: 0423662
• 负责人: Mark Williams
• 金额: $ 492万
• 依托单位: University of Colorado at Boulder
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-12-15 至 2011-11-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0423662&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Long; Term; Ecological; Research; Landscape

The Niwot Ridge LTER (NWT) employs a program of long- and short-term manipulative experiments and long-term monitoring to study biotic and ecosystem-level responses and feedbacks to interannual variation in climatic and atmospheric inputs for the alpine tundra. Long-term records show that there directional climate change in this area is occurring, which inspired a written synthesis article that refocused and refined the unifying ecological theme for the site and is also appropriate for topographically rugged landscapes: the Landscape Continuum Model (LCM). The LCM explicitly links terrestrial ecosystems to each other and to aquatic ecosystems; the heart of the model is strong linkages generated among the landscape components as a result of transport processes caused by the extreme topography. These transport agents cause biogeochemical amplification and attenuation of processes not observed in most landscapes. The new paradigm provides the platform for a unifying theme, synthesis and cross-site collaboration, activities stressed in this proposal. Niwot Ridge is the only multidisciplinary, long-term study site for high-elevation areas on the North American continent and thus is an essential benchmark for regional, national and global networks that measure biological changes and feedbacks and experimentally determine mechanisms for these relationships. Accordingly, emphasis is placed upon documenting research and archiving data for current and future scientists under the new paradigm of the LCM. Broader Impacts. Many of the broader impacts of the Niwot LTER derive from its status as the only multidisciplinary, long-term study site for high elevation areas in the North American continent; it is both a benchmark site and a leader of research for these areas. Outreach has included the publication of a children's book based on NWT describing the ecology of the area and the hydrologic cycle, a unique opportunity to reach a wider audience and educate them on alpine water resources. The innovative and successful Schoolyard LTER program focuses on local schools and on interactions with K-12 teachers; NWT provides computers to teachers wishing to facilitate web-based learning via class access to the NWT datasets, real-time climate information, and virtual field trips. USGS and NPS scientists have been included in the NWT team, a commendable outreach feature facilitating excellent opportunities to effectively transfer LTER science to the appropriate decision makers. NWT's dedication to increasing diversity in science and at their LTER is apparent, and the site provides training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. Remote, wireless technology is an important new NWT initiative providing real-time, easily accessible climate data to a broad group of users. The planned relational database will be a valuable product once online, and the TundraCam and virtual field trip provide useful opportunities to "virtual visitors."

尼沃特岭LTER（NWT）采用了长期和短期的操纵实验和长期监测方案，以研究生物和生态系统水平的响应和反馈的年际变化的气候和大气输入的高山冻原。长期记录表明，该地区正在发生定向气候变化，这激发了一篇书面综合文章，重新聚焦并完善了该网站的统一生态主题，也适用于地形崎岖的景观：景观连续体模型（LCM）。LCM明确地将陆地生态系统相互联系起来，并与水生生态系统联系起来;该模型的核心是由于极端地形造成的运输过程而在景观组成部分之间产生的强烈联系。这些运输代理人造成生态地球化学放大和衰减的过程中没有观察到的大多数景观。新的模式为统一主题、综合和跨地点合作提供了平台，这些都是本提案中强调的活动。 尼沃特海脊是北美大陆高海拔地区唯一的多学科长期研究地点，因此是区域、国家和全球网络衡量生物变化和反馈并通过实验确定这些关系机制的基本基准。因此，重点放在记录研究和归档数据，为当前和未来的科学家在新的模式下的LCM。更广泛的影响。尼沃特LTER的许多更广泛的影响来自其作为北美大陆高海拔地区唯一的多学科长期研究站点的地位;它既是这些地区研究的基准站点，也是领导者。外联活动包括出版一本以西北地区为基础的儿童读物，描述该地区的生态和水文循环，这是一个独特的机会，可以接触到更广泛的受众，并对他们进行高山水资源方面的教育。创新和成功的校园LTER计划侧重于当地学校和与K-12教师的互动; NWT为希望通过课堂访问NWT数据集，实时气候信息和虚拟实地考察来促进基于网络的学习的教师提供计算机。美国地质勘探局和地球物理研究所的科学家已被纳入西北地区小组，这是一个值得称赞的推广活动，为有效地将长期接触和辐射研究科学转让给适当的决策者提供了极好的机会。NWT致力于增加科学和LTER的多样性，该网站为研究生和本科生提供培训机会。远程无线技术是西北地区的一项重要新举措，为广大用户提供实时、易于访问的气候数据。计划中的关系数据库一旦上线将是一个有价值的产品，TundraCam和虚拟实地考察为“虚拟参观者”提供了有用的机会。"