CAREER: Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic N-Deposition on the Carbon Cycling of Southern Californian Semi-Arid Shrublands

该项目将生态研究与大学研究生和本科生教学相结合，以评估化石燃料排放的大气氮（N）输入如何改变南加州半干旱灌木林的碳（C）循环。 大气氮施肥与北方森林的减少有关。 然而，大气氮施肥对西部灌丛的影响还没有得到充分的量化，即使这些生态系统暴露于一些最高的大气氮污染水平在世界上。 该项目将采用实地观测和操作研究，以评估生态系统结构和功能的变化，以大气氮施肥，并提供一个机制的理解生态系统的响应。 反过来，实地研究将大大提高陆地生态学的讲座和实验室课程，并为学生提供一个机会，积极调查人类活动对生态系统的碳循环是区域重要的影响。

This project integrates ecological research with university graduate and undergraduate instruction to assess how inputs of atmospheric nitrogen (N) from fossil fuel emission alter the carbon (C) cycling of southern Californian semi-arid shrublands. Atmospheric N fertilization has been implicated in the decline of northern forests. However, the effects of atmospheric N fertilization on western shrublands have not been adequately quantified even though these ecosystems are exposed to some of the highest atmospheric N pollution levels in the world. This project will employ field observational and manipulative studies to assess changes in ecosystem structure and function to atmospheric N fertilization and provide a mechanistic understanding of the ecosystem response. In turn, the field studies will significantly enhance lecture and laboratory curricula in terrestrial ecology and provide students an opportunity to actively investigate the impact of human activities on the C cycling of ecosystems that are regionally important.