Collaborative Research: Predicting Effects of Climate Warming on Stream Ecosystems Using Metabolic Theory and Iceland's Unique Geothermal Environment

合作研究：利用代谢理论和冰岛独特的地热环境预测气候变暖对河流生态系统的影响

• 批准号: 0949774
• 负责人: Jonathan Benstead
• 金额: $ 51.35万
• 依托单位: University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-07-01 至 2014-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0949774&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Predicting; Effects; Climate

Climate warming has been identified as one of the most important threats to freshwater ecosystems globally. Because temperature is the fundamental driver of nearly all biological processes, climate warming will likely have strong effects on freshwater ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide for humans. Despite recent theoretical advances that provide clear predictions about how organisms should respond to warming, our current understanding is hindered by (a) the short-term and small-scale nature of most previous studies and (b) the non-trivial practical challenges associated with experimental warming of freshwaters at the ecosystem scale. This study will take advantage of a unique geothermally-active watershed in Iceland that contains a steep gradient of stream temperatures and very little difference in solute chemistry. Using a landscape gradient study of ?temperature-acclimated? streams, streamside manipulations, and an ecosystem-scale experiment, this study will quantify the effects of warming on critical ecosystem processes (ecosystem metabolism and nutrient cycling) and the flow of energy and elements through stream food webs. The proposed multi-scale design will produce much-needed data concerning the response of stream ecosystems to impending changes in temperature regime, benefitting society through increased understanding of how climate warming will influence freshwater ecosystems and the critical services they provide to humanity. The project will integrate research and education through training and mentoring of undergraduates, graduate students and a post-doctoral associate. In addition to communicating our results through traditional outlets (publications, national/international meetings), findings will be presented to local grade schools, high schools, and the community at large with presentations, an interactive research blog, and semi-annual meetings with Icelandic colleagues.

气候变暖已被确定为全球淡水生态系统面临的最重要威胁之一。由于温度是几乎所有生物过程的基本驱动力，气候变暖可能会对淡水生态系统及其为人类提供的生态系统服务产生强烈影响。尽管最近的理论进步提供了关于生物应如何应对变暖的明确预测，但我们目前的理解受到以下因素的阻碍：(a)大多数先前研究的短期和小规模性质；(b)与生态系统尺度上的淡水实验变暖相关的非微不足道的实际挑战。这项研究将利用冰岛一个独特的地热活跃的分水岭，它包含一个陡峭的河流温度梯度和溶质化学差异很小。利用景观梯度研究温度适应？本研究将通过一项生态系统规模的实验，量化变暖对关键生态系统过程（生态系统代谢和营养循环）以及通过河流食物网的能量和元素流动的影响。拟议的多尺度设计将产生关于河流生态系统对即将发生的温度变化的响应的急需数据，通过加深对气候变暖如何影响淡水生态系统及其为人类提供的关键服务的理解，使社会受益。该项目将通过对本科生、研究生和一名博士后的培训和指导，将研究和教育结合起来。除了通过传统渠道（出版物、国内/国际会议）传播我们的研究结果外，我们还将向当地的小学、高中和整个社区展示研究结果，并建立一个互动研究博客，以及与冰岛同事举行半年一次的会议。