Contrasting Saltcedar Dynamics in Native and Non-Native Habitats through Integration of Remote Sensing and Population Modeling

本项目从克服遥感与地面生态研究的空间尺度差异的角度解决了盐渍化入侵的紧迫问题。本项目的总体目标是建立一个综合的遥感种群建模框架，以研究盐杉在其原生和非原生栖息地的入侵机制。通过揭示盐杉跨尺度入侵的潜在机制，该框架将有助于大规模的河岸恢复实践。研究结果将广泛传播给保护机构，以帮助预测和应对入侵的盐杉的威胁。协同的教育和研究活动将为中学生和研究生提供学习和研究的机会。最后，外展活动将扩大传统上代表性不足的学生社区在STEM相关领域的参与。盐碱地入侵仍然是一个严重的生态问题，对河岸地区产生负面影响，对社会、经济，并最终对人类健康和福祉产生广泛影响。全面了解其空间扩展和传播机制对积极主动的生态系统管理至关重要。该项目的关键研究问题是：在其原生和非原生栖息地不同的水文气候因素下，盐杉的对比动态是什么？为了回答这个问题，研究人员将开发一个集成的遥感人口建模多组件框架。综合框架将形成跨尺度对比的咸水雪松动态分析的基础，并促进对水文气候制度的见解，推动咸水雪松在其原生和非原生栖息地的巨大差异动态。这种多标量框架将可转移到其他类型的竞争植被物种，广泛增强其效用，并有助于更有效的土地管理实践。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project addresses the pressing problem of saltcedar invasion from a perspective that overcomes the spatial scale disparities between remote sensing and ground-based ecological studies. The overarching goal of this project is to develop an integrated remotely sensed population modeling framework to investigate the invasion mechanism based on the contrast of saltcedar dynamics in its native and non-native habitats. Through shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of saltcedar invasion across scales, the framework will contribute to the large-scale riparian restoration practices. Research findings will be broadly disseminated to conservation agencies to help predict and address the threat of invasive saltcedar. The synergistic educational and research activities will offer learning and research opportunities to students from secondary to graduate levels. Lastly, outreach activities will broaden the participation of traditionally underrepresented student communities in STEM related fields.Saltcedar invasion remains a severe ecological problem, negatively impacting riparian areas, with broad implications on society, the economy, and, ultimately, human health and wellbeing. Developing a comprehensive understanding of its spatial expansion and spread mechanisms is essential for proactive ecosystem management. The key research question of the project is: what are the contrasting dynamics of saltcedar in response to varying hydroclimatic factors across its native and non-native habitats? To answer this question, the investigators will develop an integrated remotely sensed population modeling multi-component framework. The integrated framework will form the basis for a contrasting saltcedar dynamic analysis across scales, and foster insights into the hydroclimatic regimes driving the vastly disparate dynamics of saltcedar across its native and non-native habitats. This multi-scalar framework will be transferable to other types of competing vegetation species, enhancing its utility widely, and contributing to more effective land management practices.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.