REU in Ecological Studies: Establishment of an REU Site with the SEVILLETA LTER Program

该奖项为阿尔伯克基新墨西哥大学生物系提供资金，以继续与Sevilleta LTER网站合作开展一项成功的本科生研究经验计划。每年将有10名本科生参加新墨西哥州中部的生态研究项目。作为NSF长期生态研究网络的一部分，Sevilleta LTER网站为REU的学生提供了一个独特的机会来研究几个主要西南部生物群(奇瓦瓦沙漠、大平原草原、大盆地灌木草原、内陆查帕拉尔、松柏林地、山地针叶林和亚高山森林/草甸)边界的生态过程。该计划将利用21名Sevilleta LTER教员的多样性，他们在气象学、植物学、动物学、古生态学、流域动力学、养分循环和景观生态学方面进行了广泛的科学研究。REU计划包括：1)每周的指导和进度会议，2)研究概念和技术的实地和实验室培训，3)独立的学生研究项目，4)系列研讨会和大学课堂作业，5)小组实地考察，6)项目前和项目后的口头报告，以及7)项目手稿的准备和向期刊提交。这些活动将整合长期环境研究的所有理论和技术方面，并促进对大规模的生态研究采取全面的方法。

This award provides funds to the Department of Biology at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque to continue a successful Research Experiences for Undergraduates program in association with the Sevilleta LTER SITE. Ten undergraduate students per year will participate in ecological research projects in central New Mexico. As part of the NSF Long-Term Ecological Research Network, the Sevilleta LTER site provides REU students with a unique opportunity to examine ecological processes at the boundaries of several major southwestern biomes (Chihuahuan Desert, Great Plains Grassland, Great Basin Shrub-Steppe, Interior Chaparral, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Montane Coniferous Forest, and Sub-Alpine Forest/Meadow). The program will capitalize on the diversity of the 21 Sevilleta LTER faculty, who collaborate on a wide array of scientific studies in meteorology, botany, zoology, paleoecology, watershed dynamics, nutrient cycling, and landscape ecology. The REU Program includes: 1) weekly orientation and progress meetings, 2) field and laboratory training in research concepts and techniques, 3) independent student research projects, 4) seminar series and university classwork, 5) group field trips, 6) pre- and post- project oral presentations, and 7) project manuscript preparation and submission to journals. These activities will integrate all theoretical and technical aspects of the LTER and promote an holistic approach to large-scale, ecological studies.