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

草原和转化草原（即农业用地）覆盖了世界半干旱地区的广大地区。位于草原上的湖泊通常含盐，溶解有机质（DOM）浓度高。我们假设DOM在调节草原盐湖藻类生产中起着关键作用，通过结合营养物质，使它们更少被藻类获得。为了探索这一假设，我们将调查大平原中部和北部三个地区（ND， SD， NE）湖泊的一套化学和生物参数。在2年级和3年级将进行一系列实验，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。更好地了解对藻类生产的控制可能会改善草原盐湖的管理措施，并确保这些迁徙水禽栖息地的质量。

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.