Foodweb Dynamics of Mangrove Habitats in Pakistan

描述：本项目支持合作研究， 赛义德岛艾哈迈德，海洋学院，大学 华盛顿，西雅图，还有G.S.博士。Quraishee，主任， 巴基斯坦卡拉奇国家海洋学研究所， 红树林生境食物网动态 研究对象 是确定碳和能量的相对流动， 红树林和藻类碎屑的水生食物网。 这 信息将有助于确定 环境和人为干扰以及这些通量 和红树林食物网。 该研究将：1。检查 巴基斯坦红树林的物候学，重点是落叶 生产2.研究了红树林树叶的分解， 确定所得颗粒的可用性， 溶解有机碳对细菌和其他水生食物网的影响 底栖无脊椎动物3.确定 红树林和藻类对初级 该河口生态系统的生产力和4。确定 细菌和浮游植物的分布和生产力 以及它们与营养物质和其他化学物质的关系 因素 范围：该项目将涉及广泛的实地工作， 巴基斯坦境内靠近卡拉奇的印度河三角洲地区。 的 这项工作将涉及几名美国科学家和研究生， 来自华盛顿大学斯克里普斯研究所的学生 格鲁吉亚大学和佐治亚大学海洋学系 迈阿密，以及来自巴基斯坦NIO的后勤支持 由NIO和巴基斯坦海军提供，通过其 根据需要的研究船。 印度河三角洲提供了 适合这项研究的领域， 旱季（雨季前），雨季， 在雨停之后，因此可以研究 各种物理和化学因素的变化。 微生物学和生理学的实验室工作将在 美国，并将允许培训NIO员工。 这将 提高现场工作能力。 海军研究办公室对此提供了部分支持 通过提供巴基斯坦货币资金进行研究。

Description: This project supports cooperative research by Dr. Saiyed I. Ahmed, School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, and Dr. G.S. Quraishee, Director, National Institute of Oceanography, Karachi, Pakistan, on the foodweb dynamics of mangrove habitat. The research objective is to determine the relative flow of carbon and energy from mangrove and algal detritus to the aquatic foodweb. This information would help identify the relationship between environmental and anthropogenic disturbances and these fluxes and the mangrove foodweb. The study will: 1. Examine the phenology of Pakistani mangroves with emphasis on leaf-litter production 2. Study decomposition of mangrove leaves and determine the availability of the resulting particulate and disolved organic carbon to bacteria and other aquatic foodweb components such as benthic invertebrates 3. Determine the relative contribution of mangroves and algae to the primary productivity of this estuarine ecosystem and 4. Determine the distribution and productivity of bacteria and phytoplankton and their relationship with nutrients and other chemical factors. Scope: The project will involve extensive field work in the deltaic area of the Indus river near Karachi in Pakistan. The work will involve several U.S. scientists and graduate students from the University of Washington, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of Georgia and University of Miami, and from Pakistan's NIO with logistical support provided by the NIO, and the Pakistan Navy, through its research vessel as needed. The Indus delta provides a suitable field for this research by allowing for studies in the dry season (pre-monsoon), during the rainy season, and subsequent to the cessation of rains, thus permitting study of the changes in a variety of physical and chemical factors. Laboratory work in microbiology and physiology will be done in the U.S. and will allow for training of NIO staff. This will enhance the capabilities for the field work. The Office of Naval Research is partially supporting this research by providing Pakistani currency funds.