DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Indirect Regulation of Aboveground Ecological Processes by a Belowground Ecosystem Engineer

论文研究：地下生态系统工程师对地上生态过程的间接调节

• 批准号: 0709880
• 负责人: Gretchen Daily
• 金额: $ 1.2万
• 依托单位: Stanford University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-07-15 至 2009-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0709880&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Indirect; Regulation; Aboveground

When it comes to influencing the structure and function of ecosystems, not all species are created equal. ''Ecosystem engineers'' are species that regulate resource flows to other species by modifying the physical environment, but precisely how they do this remains poorly understood relative to other ecological processes. This project focuses on how a subterranean ecosystem engineer (termites, genus Odontotermes) regulates aboveground ecological processes on a wildlife-friendly commercial cattle ranch in Kenya. Using field and laboratory experiments, the project will address how, by promoting plant growth, termites indirectly control the distribution and abundance of both invertebrates and the lizard Lygodactylus keniensis (which is the most common vertebrate in this habitat).Understanding functional relationships between species in human-dominated, working rangelands is important both for the long-term protection of ecosystem integrity and for human enterprises such as cattle ranching. In many tropical rangelands, termites are what ecologists call ''keystones''- their impact on the ecosystem is so profound as to be critical in maintaining ecosystem health. This project examines how termites exert their pivotal influence and will inform a more general understanding of keystone players in ecosystems. In addition, the project will provide full-time employment to several local Kenyans and educate both local communities and American high school students about African ecology and management via a series of popular publications and lectures.

当涉及到影响生态系统的结构和功能时，并非所有物种都是平等的。“生态系统工程师”是指通过改变自然环境来调节资源流向其他物种的物种，但相对于其他生态过程，人们对它们究竟是如何做到这一点的还知之甚少。本项目重点研究地下生态系统工程师（白蚁，齿白蚁属）如何调节肯尼亚一个野生动物友好型商业养牛场的地上生态过程。通过实地和实验室实验，该项目将研究白蚁如何通过促进植物生长，间接控制无脊椎动物和蜥蜴Lygodactylus keniensis（这是该栖息地最常见的脊椎动物）的分布和丰度。在人类主导的工作牧场中，了解物种之间的功能关系对于长期保护生态系统完整性和人类企业（如畜牧业）都很重要。在许多热带牧场，白蚁被生态学家称为“基石”——它们对生态系统的影响是如此深远，以至于对维持生态系统的健康至关重要。该项目研究了白蚁如何发挥其关键影响，并将使人们对生态系统中的关键角色有更全面的了解。此外，该项目将为几名当地肯尼亚人提供全职工作，并通过一系列受欢迎的出版物和讲座，向当地社区和美国高中生提供有关非洲生态和管理的教育。