SGER: An opportunity to study the impact of nutrient pulsing in an oligotrophic forest stream in South Dakota

河流作为陆地流域营养物质的运输者，其重要性日益增加，因为人类不断增加的营养物质沉积往往超过许多陆地生态系统吸收这些营养物质的能力。 本研究将评估营养脉冲的影响，在低营养（贫营养）森林流在南达科他州。快速溪是一个春季喂养的小溪，其特点是营养浓度非常低。 它一直在经历令人讨厌的藻类水华。这种现象是不寻常的，因为通常藻类水华直接关系到人为的营养负荷，但这种藻类的水华？一种硅藻（双裂硅藻）？通常与营养贫乏的沃茨有关。由于这种硅藻可以显着影响河流生态系统的结构和功能，并影响渔业，南达科他州游戏，鱼类和公园部门正在添加缓释肥料快速溪，试图防止D。双子座 为了评估这一营养负荷对这条河流的生物和非生物成分的影响，本研究将研究营养动态的上游和下游的剂量网站。由于硅藻的生长对重要营养元素的最佳比例很敏感，因此本研究将侧重于碳、氮、磷和二氧化硅等营养素;以及酶活性、溶解氧和叶绿素产生变化等生物反应。这些措施将为生态系统的健康状况提供见解。该项目还加强了学生的研究培训和教育，同时产生了广泛适用于其他生态系统的宝贵数据。

The significance of streams as transporters of nutrients from terrestrial watersheds is growing as the increasing deposition of nutrients by humans often exceeds the capacity of many terrestrial ecosystems to absorb them. This study will evaluate the impact of nutrient pulsing in a low-nutrient (oligotrophic) forest stream in South Dakota. Rapid Creek is a spring fed creek characterized by very low nutrient concentrations. It has been experiencing a nuisance algal bloom. This phenomenon is unusual because typically algal blooms are directly related to anthropogenic nutrient loading, yet blooms of this algae?a diatom (Didymosphenia geminate)?are often associated with nutrient-poor waters. Since this diatom can significantly impact stream ecosystem structure and function and impact fisheries, the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department is adding slow-release fertilizer to Rapid Creek in an attempt to prevent the bloom of D. geminata. To evaluate the impact of this nutrient loading on the biological and abiotic components of this stream, this study will examine nutrient dynamics upstream and downstream of the dosing site. Since the growth of diatoms is sensitive to the optimal ratio of important nutrient elements, this study will focus on nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and silica; and on biological responses such as changes in enzyme activity, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll production. These measures will provide insights into the health of the ecosystem. This project also enhances student research training and education while generating valuable data that will be broadly applicable to other ecosystems.