The Effects of Large Mammal Browsing on the Dynamics of Northern Ecosystems

这项建议涉及驼鹿与 植物种群的动态，它们与碳的反馈， 氮循环，以及随之而来的北方景观的变化。的 主要的假设是驼鹿促进了植被的斑块， 北方森林 这种斑块是由于 选择性非随机觅食模式的物种组成 物种对浏览的不同反应; 在被浏览的斑块中建立植物的差异;以及 植被变化引起的养分循环的变化。 该项目将量化驼鹿在土壤，进食， 站，栖息地和景观尺度在几个山谷岛 皇家国家公园，密歇根州。 这些山谷有不同的 干扰制度和不同的植物物种组合。 实地研究将确定觅食的空间对应关系， 食物和覆盖物的分布，采食质量，植物种子 凋落物散布、植物建立和土壤氮 空房的 这些数据将在一个地理 将与森林模拟相结合的信息系统 模型 计算机研究将解决觅食策略如何 导致不同植被空间格局的发展， 土壤，以及栖息地的空间变异如何影响驼鹿 种群动态 调查人员有资格进行这种类型的调查， 研究和大学设施是绰绰有余。

This proposal addresses the interactions of moose with the dynamics of plant populations, their feedbacks with carbon and nitrogen cycles, and subsequent changes in boreal landscapes. The main hypothesis is that moose promote patchiness of vegetation in boreal forests. This patchiness results from alternation of species composition by selective, non-random foraging patterns across the landscape; different responses of species to browsing; differential establishment of plants in browsed patches; and changes in nutrient cycles caused by these changes in vegetation. The project will quantify moose interactions at soil, feeding station, habitat, and landscape scales in several valleys on Isle Royale National Park, Michigan. These valleys have different disturbance regimes and different assemblages of plant species. Field studies will determine spatial correspondences of foraging, the distribution of food and cover, browse quality, plant seed and litter dispersal, plant establishment, and soil nitrogen availability. These data will be assembled in a geographic information system that will be coupled with a forest simulation model. Computer studies will address how foraging strategies cause development of different spatial patterns of vegetation and soils, and how spatial variability in habitat influences moose population dynamics. The Investigators are well qualified to do the type of research and the University facilities are more than adequate.