The Sevilleta Field Station: Development of a Regional Research Center in New Mexico

新墨西哥州中部的塞维莱塔地区是一个广阔的生态区域，被越来越多的研究科学家广泛利用。该地区包括许多生物群落之间的纬度、经度和海拔过渡带，包括大平原草原、奇瓦瓦沙漠、大盆地灌木草原、内省夏帕拉尔、莫高隆(松柏)林地和山地森林。这些生物群中的其他生物组合包括里奥格兰德“博斯克”(河岸棉树林)和湿地、亚高山森林和亚高山草原。该地区目前的科学研究集中在不同时间尺度(季节、年度和长期)对气候变化的生物响应、生物多样性问题以及自然和人为干扰后的生态系统恢复。目前，新墨西哥大学在塞维莱塔国家野生动物保护区(100,000公顷，位于中心位置的研究区)上维持着一个小型研究野外站，旨在支持最多6名实地研究人员。然而，该电台最近的用户人数急剧增加。在过去的五年中，塞维莱塔已经成为125名研究人员的研究场所，他们来自17所大学、9个美国政府机构、3个新墨西哥州政府机构、2个私人机构和1个外国机构。1989年的空间站人员包括57名研究人员(加上技术人员和研究生)，多达35名科学家和技术人员在夏季研究高峰期(4月至10月)同时在空间站外工作。该项目将扩大车站的设施，显着提高车站的能力。位于中心位置的将塞维莱塔实地站扩展到科学界包括：1.随时可以接触到该地区的许多人口和生态系统；2.改善对实地研究项目的后勤支助；3.增强现场分析和数据处理能力、地理信息系统和数据管理系统；以及4.来自众多学科和机构的各种科学家所形成的知识环境。

The Sevilleta Region of Central New Mexico is a large and ecologically area, and is utilized extensively by a growing number of research scientists. The region includes latitudinal, longitudinal and elevational transition zones among numerous biomes, including Great Plains Grassland, Chihuahuan Desert, Great Basin Shrub-steppe, Interior Chapparal, Mogollon (Pinyon-Juniper) Woodland, and Montane Forest. Additional biotic assemblages within these biomes include Rio Grande "Bosque" (Riparian Cottonwood Forests) and Wetlands, Subalpine Forests, and Subalpine Grasslands. Current scientific research in the region focuses on biotic responses to climate changes at various time scales (seasonal, annual, and long-term), biodiversity issues, and ecosystem restoration following natural and anthropogenic disturbances. At present, the University of New Mexico maintains a small research field station on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (a 100,000 ha, centrally located study area), designed to support up to 6 field researchers. However, the recent user population of the station had dramatically increased. In the last five years, the Sevilleta has served as a research site for 125 researchers, representing 17 universities, 9 U.S. Government agencies, 3 New Mexico State Government agencies, 2 private institutes, and 1 foreign country. The 1989 station population included 57 researchers (plus technicians and graduate students), with up to 35 scientists and technicians operating simultaneously out of the station during peak summer research months (April through October). This project will expand the station's facilities and significantly increase station capacity. The benefits of a centrally located, expanded Sevilleta Field Station to the scientific community included: 1. ready access to the many populations and ecosystems present in the area; 2. improve logistical support for field research projects; 3. enhanced on-site analysis and data processing capabilities, GIS and data management systems; and 4. an intellectual environment derived from the wide variety of scientists from numerous disciplines and institutions.