RUI: The Role of Dissolved Organic Material in Regulating Primary Production in Prairie Saline Lakes

草地和已改造的草地（即农业用地）覆盖了世界上半干旱地区的广大地区。位于草原上的湖泊通常是咸的，并且具有高浓度的溶解有机物（DOM）。我们假设，DOM在调节草原盐湖藻类生产中起着关键作用，结合营养物质，使它们更少的藻类。为了探索这一假设，我们将调查一套化学和生物参数的湖泊从中部和北方大平原（ND，SD，NE）的三个地区。第二年和第三年将进行一系列实验，以进一步探索实地调查中观察到的模式。本研究将为一名研究生和六名本科生提供培训。更好地了解藻类生产的控制措施，可以改善草原盐湖的管理实践，并确保这些迁徙水鸟栖息地的质量。

Grasslands and converted grasslands (i.e. agricultural land) cover extensive areas in semi-arid regions of the world. Lakes situated in grasslands are usually saline and have high concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM). We hypothesize that DOM plays a critical role in regulating algal production in prairie saline lakes by binding nutrients and making them less available to algae. To explore this hypothesis, we will survey a suite of chemical and biological parameters in lakes from three areas in the central and northern Great Plains (ND, SD, NE). A series of experiments will be conducted in Years 2 and 3 to further explore patterns observed in the field surveys. This research will provide training for one graduate and six undergraduate students. A greater understanding of the controls on algal production may improve management practices in prairie saline lakes and ensure the quality of these habitats for migrating waterfowl.