Effects of An Introduced Pest on the C and N Dynamics of a Northern Hardwood Forest

外来有害生物的引入对美国东部阔叶林碳氮动态的影响外来有害生物的引入是对美国东部森林最严重的胁迫。山毛榉树皮病（BBD）的传入和随后的传播正在不可逆转地改变覆盖东北部大多数州高地的北部阔叶林。BBD是由一种鳞状昆虫引起的，它伤害了树皮，使致命的真菌疾病进入。由于山毛榉是北方阔叶林的优势树种之一，其衰退可能会严重影响森林生态系统的功能。在这项研究中，研究人员将重点关注纽约东南部的卡茨基尔山脉，他们将测量植被、土壤和基本生态系统功能（如生产力和养分循环）对BBD的反应。洛维特博士和他的同事们还将研究BBD如何与这些森林面临的另一个严重压力相互作用——空气中氮氧化物污染物带来的过量氮。

Abstract99-81503LovettEffects of an Introduced Pest on the Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics of a Northern Hardwood ForestOne of the most severe stresses on forests of the eastern US is the introduction of exotic pests. The introduction and subsequent spread of the Beech Bark Disease (BBD) is irreversibly altering the northern hardwood forests that cover the uplands of most of the northeastern states. The BBD is initiated by a scale insect that wounds the bark of a tree, allowing entry of a fatal fungal disease. Because beech is one of the dominant trees of the northern hardwood forest, its decline is likely to seriously affect the functioning of the forest ecosystem. In this study, which will focus on the Catskill Mountains of southeastern NY, the investigators will measure the response to the BBD of the vegetation, soils, and basic ecosystem functions like productivity and nutrient cycling. Dr. Lovett and colleagues will also investigate how the BBD interacts with another serious stress to these forests-overabundance of nitrogen delivered by nitrogen oxide air pollutants.