Animals and the zoogeochemistry of elemental cycling

动物和元素循环的动物地球化学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-04132
• 负责人: Leroux, Shawn
• 金额: $ 2.91万
• 依托单位: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=739680
• 关键词: Animals; zoogeochemistry; elemental; cycling

Human activities such as harvesting and urbanization have led to the introduction and extinction of animals in many ecosystems. This introduction or loss of animals can have profound impacts on ecosystems and the many benefits ecosystems provide. For example, the introduction of moose to the island of Newfoundland has led to failed regeneration of native balsam fir forests, increased occurrence of moose-vehicle collisions and increased recreational hunting and food provisioning opportunities. Recent evidence suggests that large animals such as moose can have substantial impacts on nutrient cycling; a process that is fundamental to life, and further research is needed to better understand how changes in animal populations will impact nutrient cycling. My long-term objective is to investigate the role of animals in ecosystem nutrient cycling in order to predict the effects of human-mediated animal extinction and introduction on ecosystem nutrient cycling. Over the next five years I have two short-term objectives: I) investigate the relative and combined direct and indirect effects of herbivores on terrestrial ecosystem carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling and II) investigate terrestrial herbivore impacts on freshwater ecosystem C and N cycling. To address Objective I, I propose to use mathematical models and field studies in Atlantic Canada. In collaboration Parks Canada and the Government of Newfoundland we will study 30 areas where fencing has been set-up to exclude moose across sections of balsam fir dominant forests of Atlantic Canada. This fencing will allow us to study the effects of moose on boreal ecosystem carbon and nitrogen. Moose can move large distances and frequently use habitat near streams and ponds. At high densities, however, moose can transform boreal forest communities to open grassland dominated areas. To address Objective II, I also propose to use mathematical models and field studies. The field studies will use aerial photographs and ground sampling to measure moose impacts on forests near 14 small streams and test for the potential impacts of moose on streams by measuring stream nutrients and stream animal communities. The proposed research over the next 5 years will accelerate our understanding of animal impacts on nutrient cycling with a broad approach using mathematical modelling and field studies. Applications of this work touch on management plans for large herbivores, restoration of degraded forest ecosystems and how to maintain benefits provided by ecosystems. It is of particular relevance to boreal regions in Atlantic Canada which are undergoing rapid changes in large animals such as moose and Atlantic salmon. The tools and evidence from the proposed research will help resource managers predict the effects of these changes which will improve management plans. Finally, the proposed research program will train 15 students in quantitative skills and knowledge that are highly sought after in diverse work environments.

收获和城市化等人类活动导致许多生态系统中动物的引入和灭绝。动物的引入或消失可能会对生态系统以及生态系统提供的许多好处产生深远的影响。例如，将驼鹿引入纽芬兰岛导致本地香脂冷杉森林再生失败，驼鹿与车辆碰撞的发生率增加，休闲狩猎和食物供应机会增加。最近的证据表明，驼鹿等大型动物可以对营养循环产生重大影响。这是生命的基础过程，需要进一步研究以更好地了解动物种群的变化将如何影响营养循环。我的长期目标是研究动物在生态系统养分循环中的作用，以预测人类介导的动物灭绝和引入对生态系统养分循环的影响。在接下来的五年里，我有两个短期目标：I）研究食草动物对陆地生态系统碳（C）和氮（N）循环的相对和综合的直接和间接影响；II）研究陆地食草动物对淡水生态系统碳和氮循环的影响。为了实现目标 I，我建议在加拿大大西洋地区使用数学模型和实地研究。在加拿大公园管理局和纽芬兰省政府的合作下，我们将研究 30 个已设置围栏以排除加拿大大西洋香脂冷杉主要森林地区的驼鹿的区域。这种围栏将使我们能够研究驼鹿对北方生态系统碳和氮的影响。驼鹿可以长距离移动，经常使用溪流和池塘附近的栖息地。然而，在高密度下，驼鹿可以将北方森林群落转变为以开阔草原为主的地区。为了解决目标 II，我还建议使用数学模型和实地研究。实地研究将使用航空照片和地面采样来测量驼鹿对 14 条小溪附近森林的影响，并通过测量溪流营养物和溪流动物群落来测试驼鹿对溪流的潜在影响。 未来五年的拟议研究将通过使用数学模型和实地研究的广泛方法，加速我们对动物对营养循环影响的理解。这项工作的应用涉及大型食草动物的管理计划、退化森林生态系统的恢复以及如何维持生态系统提供的效益。这与加拿大大西洋北部地区尤其相关，这些地区的驼鹿和大西洋鲑鱼等大型动物正在经历快速变化。拟议研究的工具和证据将帮助资源管理者预测这些变化的影响，从而改进管理计划。最后，拟议的研究计划将为 15 名学生提供在不同工作环境中备受追捧的定量技能和知识的培训。