U.S.-Argentina Dissertation Enhancement: Effects of Grazing on Shrub-Steppe Ecosystems of North and South America

在这个美国-阿根廷论文增强研究奖，彼得先生B。阿德勒，科罗拉多州立大学，在威廉K。劳恩罗斯博士将与奥斯瓦尔多·E。阿根廷布宜诺斯艾利斯大学的萨拉。该项目题为“放牧对北美和南美灌木草原生态系统的影响。“该项目将比较放牧对南北美洲独特的成对灌木草原生态系统，特别是阿根廷南部的大盆地和巴塔哥尼亚草原的植被的影响。 在每个区域进行的实地研究，辅以温室实验，将侧重于放牧强度和降水梯度对植被和土壤的反应。 PI将评估放牧对地上净初级生产力、群落物种组成、小尺度空间异质性和土壤碳的影响。大盆地的山艾树草原和阿根廷南部的巴塔哥尼亚草原具有非常相似的气候和植被生长形式。 这些研究的结果将检验当前的社区生态学理论，为这两个地区的自然资源管理人员提供有用的信息。

In this US-Argentina dissertation enhancement research award, Mr. Peter B. Adler, Colorado State University, under the sponsorship of Dr. William K. Lauenroth, will work with Dr. Osvaldo E. Sala at the Universidad de Buenos Aires in Argentina. The project is entitled "Effects of Grazing on Shrub-Steppe Ecosystems of North and South America." This project will involve the comparison of the effects of livestock grazing on vegetation in the uniquely paired shrub-steppe ecosystems of North and South America, specifically the Great Basin and the Patagonian steppe of southern Argentina. Field studies in each region, complemented by a greenhouse experiment will focus on vegetation and soil responses across gradients of grazing intensity and precipitation. The PIs will evaluate the effect of grazing on above ground net primary production, community species composition, small-scale spatial heterogeneity, and soil carbon. The sagebrush-steppe of the Great Basin and the Patagonian steppe of southern Argentina have very similar climates and vegetation growth forms. The results of these studies will test current theory in community ecology, providing useful information to natural resource managers in both regions.