SGER: Rapid Response Request: Evaluating ENSO Impacts on Rocky Intertidal Assemblages

厄尔尼诺(ENSO)事件周期性地发生，在强度和空间大小上都有很大的变化。ENSO的特点是局部水温升高、海平面上升和水柱营养物质减少。尽管有这些生物学上的重要特征，特别是考虑到它们对远洋生物组合和珊瑚礁生态系统的影响，ENSO对中高纬度近岸海底生物组合的影响仍然不明确。华盛顿州裸露海岸特有的岩石潮间带组合至少自1992年1月以来一直在经历ENSO条件。潘恩博士将研究营养物质供应的变化如何影响藻类的生产力、补充和生长。将采用一种相对新的技术，使用赤陶花盆。在一种平衡的、重复的设计中，一些罐子将装满营养丰富的材料，一些罐子用防污涂料保护它们免受底栖食草动物的侵扰，而另一些罐子则不进行处理。不同处理之间的比较应能够对陆地输入、营养物质和食草动物对藻类生产力的影响进行统计分析。在非ENSO年的重复将确定三种海藻水柱补充的可能贡献。

El Nino (ENSO) events occur periodically and vary greatly in both intensity and spatial magnitude. ENSOs are characterized by local increases in water temperature, sea level elevation and reduce water column nutrients. Despite these biologically significant features, and especially considering their influence on pelagic assemblages and coral reef ecosystems, the impact of ENSOs on mid- to high-latitude, nearshore benthic assemblages remains ambiguous. The rocky intertidal assemblage characteristic of the exposed coast of Washington State has been experiencing ENSO conditions since at least January 1992. Dr. Paine will examine how changes in nutrients availability effect algal productivity, recruitment and growth. A relative new technique will be employed using terra cotta flower pots. In a balanced, replicated design, some pots will be filled with nutrient-rich materials, some protected from benthic grazers by anti-fouling paint and others left untreated. Comparison between treatments should allow a statistical analysis of the influences of terrestrial inputs, nutrients and grazers on algal productivity. Repetition in a non-ENSO year will identify the possible contribution of water column recruitment of three kelp species.