RUI:Biodiversity and Ecology of Tree Canopy Biota in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

本研究项目的目标是：1 .完成对大雾山国家公园从3米到冠层以上的树木群落生物多样性的第一次全面调查和盘点，以黏菌、其他菌丝体类群（原柱类和双柱类）、真菌、苔藓、苔类、地衣、蕨类、选定的昆虫类群和软体动物为代表。2 .组建一个多学科的专家研究小组，收集、鉴定、并管理这一多样化的生物群体，并作为导师，进行特别讲座、幻灯片放映、标本鉴定和现场演示，以帮助学生识别标本和收集样本；将树冠生物的组合与在地面上发现的组合进行比较；在所有目标生物群体中寻找科学上的新物种；5-在不同高度的单株树木的垂直样带上采集生物群样本，以量化这些组合的相对物种组成、丰度和多样性与可用环境特征（宿主树种、植被类型、高度等级、光照、pH和湿度）的关系；比较不同树种的树冠目标群和组合；7-为学生提供研究经验，增加研究生学习的机会。这项研究将确定在三米以上的活树和藤蔓的树皮上发现的生物群（黏菌、原柱体、盘状柱体、真菌、苔藓、苔类、地衣和蕨类）、物种组合和群落是否与在地面栖息地发现的不同。该项目将有助于确定这些群落和群落是否可以根据测量的环境参数进行预测，这将为未来与使用林业管理策略采伐的森林进行比较提供基础。从树冠中获取样本的方法将是双绳攀爬技术，这将使采集者能够到达树顶。收集将从树冠和实验室的湿室培养中进行。将比较从每棵树上鉴定的物种组合的统计分析。这些物种组合和群落很重要，因为它们是第一批表现出环境退化迹象的物种，比如酸雨、硫和二氧化氮沉积以及臭氧。从这个项目中产生的数据将帮助公园管理者评估人类因素对环境的影响，不仅在古老的森林中，而且在任何森林植被类型中。该项目将涉及四个本科院校的研究机构，与来自挪威、俄罗斯和立陶宛的国际专家合作研究不同的目标生物群体，他们将为特定的生物群体提供物种鉴定。在野外生物学研究中代表性不足的妇女和少数民族将与志愿者、公园实习生、本科生和研究生以及关键项目人员一起参与。结果将在公园解说展览、网站推广、新闻媒体报道（印刷和电视）、流行杂志和评审期刊上发表文章中突出显示，这将发出保护生物多样性的有力信息。

The objectives of this proposed research project are to:1- complete the first comprehensive survey and inventory of treecanopy biodiversity from three meters to the upper canopy for biotarepresented by myxomycetes, other mycetozoan groups (protostelids anddictyostelids), fungi, mosses, liverworts, lichens, ferns, selectedinsect groups, and molluscs in the Great Smoky Mountains NationalPark2- assemble a multidisciplinary research team of experts who willcollect, identify, and curate this diverse group of organisms andserve as mentors who will give special lectures, slide shows, hands onidentification of specimens, and field demonstrations to aid studentsin the recognition of specimens and collection of samples;3-compare the assemblages of tree canopy organisms with thosefound on ground sites;4-search for species new to science in all of the targeted groupsof organisms;5- sample for biota along vertical transects of individual trees atdifferent heights to quantify the association of the relative speciescomposition, abundance, and diversity of these assemblages with theavailable environmental characteristics (host tree species, vegetationtype, height class, light, pH, and humidity);6- compare the tree canopy-targeted groups and assemblages ondifferent tree species;7- provide research experiences for students that will enhanceopportunities for postgraduate study.This study will determine if the biota (myxomycetes, protostelids,dictyostelids, fungi, mosses, liverworts, lichens, and ferns), ofspecies assemblages, and communities found on the bark of living treesand vines above three meters differ from those found in habitats onground sites. This project will assist in determining if theseassemblages and communities can be predicted based on measuredenvironmental parameters that will provide a basis for futurecomparisons with forests that are harvested using forestry managementstrategies. The methodology used to obtain samples from the treecanopy will be the double rope climbing technique that will enable thecollector to access the treetops. Collections will be made from thetree canopy and also from moist chamber cultures in the laboratory. Statistical analysis of species assemblages identified from each treewill be compared. These species assemblages and communities are important since they arethe first species to show signs of environmental degradation such asacid rain, sulfur and nitrogen dioxide deposits, and ozone. Datagenerated from this project will help park managers assess theenvironmental impacts of human factors not only in old growth forestsbut with any forest vegetation type. This project will involve fourRUI (Research in Undergraduate Institutions) institutions collaborating inthe study of the different targeted groups of organisms with aninternational component of experts from Norway, Russia, and Lithuaniawho will provide species identification for specific groups oforganisms. Women and minorities who are underrepresented in fieldbiology research will participate along with volunteers, park interns,undergraduate and graduate students, and key project personnel. Results will be highlighted in park interpretive exhibitions, websiteoutreach, news media coverage (print and television), publication of articles inpopular magazines, in refereed journals that will send a powerfulconservation message for biodiversity.