Zoogeomorphology and Ecosystem Engineering: 42nd Annual Binghamton Geomorphology Symposium

科学家们从不同的角度研究动物及其对环境的变化，这通常受到他们自己学科研究的影响。在地貌学中，研究动物对地貌的影响被称为动物地貌学；然而，在生态学中，生态系统工程指的是生物创造、修改或维持栖息地的概念。这两个概念有共同之处；然而，动物地貌学和生态系统工程的研究大多是并行进行的，没有相互整合；或者在某些情况下，甚至不知道对同一物种的类似研究。该项目将通过资助2011年10月在南阿拉巴马大学举行的第42届“动物地貌学和生态系统工程”年度宾厄姆顿地貌学研讨会（BGS），帮助连接这两个概念的研究。研讨会将介绍动物地貌学和生态系统工程科学家的最新研究、假设和方法。本项目旨在为研究人员提供一个讨论动物作为地貌推动者或生态工程师的场所，并促进生态学家和地貌学家之间的交流。2011年BGS的参与者将包括来自学术、民间和政府部门的地貌学和生态学学科的研究生和高级研究员。该项目将协助出版论文集，会议后勤，并为受邀演讲者，研究生和青年科学家提供旅行支持。在动物地貌学和生态系统工程等概念上，地貌学与生态学研究缺乏综合，制约了动物对环境影响的整体研究。除了加强地貌学和生态学学科之间的联系外，该项目还旨在鼓励动物地貌学和生态系统工程研究之间知识的综合和传播。这次研讨会的一个更广泛的影响将是提高对地貌学和生态学学科研究的认识，这可能会鼓励参与研究动物在改变环境中所起作用的科学家之间增加未来的互动。研讨会将使初级学者和研究生接触到相关和创新的研究，并可能鼓励这些科学家在他们自己的地貌和生态研究中考虑动物的作用。为了产生长期影响，应邀发表的论文将发表在《地貌学》这一重要的国际地貌学杂志上，以确保在研讨会上提出的研究成果得到广泛传播。该项目由地理与空间科学项目和地形与土地利用动力学项目共同资助。

Scientists study animals and their changes to the environment from different viewpoints, which are generally influenced by research within their own discipline. In geomorphology, the study of the geomorphic effects of animals is called zoogeomorphology; whereas, in ecology, ecosystem engineering refers to the concept that habitats are created, modified, or maintained by organisms. These two concepts share commonalities; however, much work done in zoogeomorphology and ecosystem engineering has run parallel to each other without integrating each other's research; or in some cases, without even being aware of the similar studies on the same species. This project will help bridge research on these two concepts by funding the 42nd Annual Binghamton Geomorphology Symposium (BGS) on "Zoogeomorphology and Ecosystem Engineering", to be held in October 2011 at the University of South Alabama. The symposium will present current research, hypotheses, and methodologies from zoogeomorphology and ecosystem engineering scientists. This project aims to provide a venue for researchers to discuss animals as geomorphic agents or ecological engineers and to foster communication between ecologists and geomorphologists. Participants in the 2011 BGS will include scholars ranging in rank from graduate students to senior researchers from geomorphology and ecology disciplines in the academic, private, and government sectors. This project will assist in publication of a proceedings volume, conference logistics, and travel support for invited speakers, graduate students, and junior scientists.The lack of synthesis between geomorphology and ecology research regarding the concepts of zoogeomorphology and ecosystem engineering restricts the holistic study of the impact of animals on the environment. This project seeks to encourage synthesis and dissemination of knowledge between zoogeomorphology and ecosystem engineering research in addition to strengthening the bonds between the geomorphology and ecology disciplines. A broader impact of the symposium will be an improved awareness of the research within the geomorphology and ecology disciplines, which may encourage increased future interaction between scientists involved in examining the role animals play in modifying the environment. The symposium will expose junior scholars and graduate students to relevant and innovative studies and possibly encourage these scientists to consider the role of animals in their own geomorphic and ecological research. For long-term impact, invited papers will be published in Geomorphology, a major international geomorphology journal, to ensure widespread dissemination of research presented at the symposium. This project is jointly funded with Geography and Spatial Sciences Program and the Geormophology and Land use Dynamics Program.