COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Decomposition in drylands: Soil erosion and UV interactions

合作研究：旱地分解：土壤侵蚀和紫外线相互作用

• 批准号: 0814461
• 负责人: Rebecca McCulley
• 金额: $ 20.17万
• 依托单位: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-10-01 至 2013-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0814461&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: COLLABORATIVE; RESEARCH; Decomposition; drylands; Soil

Decomposition, the breakdown of dead plant and animal material, is a fundamental process that affects soil fertility and ecosystem carbon storage. Most of what is known about decomposition is from studies in high rainfall areas, but this knowledge does not translate well to dryland ecosystems. Some recent studies suggest solar ultra-violet radiation has a major influence on decomposition in drylands; however, other studies indicate the level of mixing of wind/water-transported soils with litter is the key factor. This project seeks to resolve these competing explanations through a series of laboratory studies and field experiments in Arizona designed to measure interactions among these factors. These linkages will be assessed in the context of woody plant encroachment into grasslands, a globally extensive vegetation change in drylands. This investigation will yield new insights into processes that affect soil fertility and carbon storage in drylands by combining the disciplines of plant community ecology, ecosystem science and earth science in a novel framework. The findings will be relevant nationally and internationally, as dryland ecosystems characterize major portions of the US and global land area, and may be significant carbon sinks. In addition to dissemination in the scientific community, results will be communicated to land management personnel and organizations through outreach programs. The study will provide training opportunities for four graduate and numerous undergraduate students. The collaborating institutions (University of Arizona, New Mexico State University, University of Kentucky and Loyola University) have substantial minority enrollments, and efforts will be made to recruit students from underrepresented groups.

分解，即死亡植物和动物材料的分解，是影响土壤肥力和生态系统碳储存的基本过程。大多数关于分解的知识都来自高降雨地区的研究，但这些知识并不能很好地转化为旱地生态系统。最近的一些研究表明，太阳紫外线辐射对旱地的分解有重大影响。然而，其他研究表明，风/水输送的土壤与垃圾的混合程度是关键因素。该项目旨在通过亚利桑那州的一系列实验室研究和现场实验来解决这些相互矛盾的解释，这些实验旨在测量这些因素之间的相互作用。这些联系将在木本植物侵占草原的背景下进行评估，这是全球范围内广泛的旱地植被变化。这项研究将通过将植物群落生态学、生态系统科学和地球科学学科结合在一个新的框架中，对影响旱地土壤肥力和碳储存的过程产生新的见解。研究结果将在国内和国际上具有重要意义，因为旱地生态系统是美国和全球陆地面积主要部分的特征，并且可能是重要的碳汇。除了在科学界传播之外，研究结果还将通过外展计划传达给土地管理人员和组织。该研究将为四名研究生和众多本科生提供培训机会。合作机构（亚利桑那大学、新墨西哥州立大学、肯塔基大学和洛约拉大学）招收大量少数族裔学生，并将努力招收代表性不足的群体的学生。