Historical Factors Affecting Secondary Succession on the North Carolina Piedmont (Ecology)

次生植物演替机制的研究一般集中在物种特性和偶然性事件决定的机械性和随机性过程。这些过程无法解释的变化通常被归因于不确定的历史因素。这项研究将明确关注这些历史因素，因为它们在过去两个世纪里影响了北卡罗来纳州山麓的继承。过去的植被将通过对古老的、未受干扰的农场池塘的沉积物进行花粉分析和档案研究来重建。来自这些分析的具体因素将通过森林模拟模型与演替相关，以预测它们对演替模式的影响。然后将这些模式与来自公爵森林的数据进行比较。这样的研究将提高我们理解和预测森林组成变化的能力。拉塞尔博士将讲授植物学/历史系联合研讨会，讲授人类对环境影响的历史，以及女性在植物学和生态学中的作用。她还将举办一场基于花粉分析的关于美国东北部近期植物历史的客座讲座，并将发表植物学、历史学和女性研究项目的客座讲座。该项目进一步推动了VPW计划的目标，即：(1)为妇女提供机会，在NSF资助的工程和科学学科中发展她们的职业生涯；(2)通过提高受雇于工业、政府和学术机构的女科学家和工程师的知名度，鼓励妇女追求科学和工程事业。通过鼓励妇女参与科学，这是对国家未来科学活力的宝贵投资。

Research on the mechanisms of secondary plant succession is generally focused on mechanistic and stochastic processes determined by species characteristics and chance events. Variation not explained by these processes is often attributed to undefined historical factors. This research will focus explicitly on these historical factors as they have affected succession on the North Carolina Piedmont over the last two centuries. Past vegetation will be reconstructed using pollen analysis of sediment from old, undisturbed farm ponds and archival studies. Specific factors from these analyses will be related to succession through forest simulation models to predict their effects on patterns of succession. These patterns will then be compared with data from the Duke Forest. Such a study will improve our ability to understand and predict changes in forest composition. Dr. Russell will teach a joint botany/history department seminar on the history of human impact on the environment and a short course on the roles of women in botany and ecology. She will also present a guest lecture on recent vegetational history of the northeastern U.S., based on pollen analysis, and will give guest lectures in botany, history and the women's studies programs. This project furthers VPW program objectives which are (1) to provide opportunities for women to advance their careers in engineering and in the disciplines of science supported by NSF and (2) to encourage women to pursue careers in science and engineering by providing greater visibility for women scientists and engineers employed in industry, government, and academic institutions. By encouraging the participation of women in science, it is a valuable investment in the Nation's future scientific vitality.