The Nitrogen Cycle of a Semi-arid Grassland: A Fungal Loop?

半干旱草地的N循环：真菌环？降水通过耦合有机质的产生和分解，整合了陆地生态系统的碳（C）和氮（N）循环。 在干旱地区，这种结合很弱，因为不稳定的水分输入、高温和强烈的太阳辐射减少了生物活动，并使生产和分解过程相互分隔。 我们的假设是，真菌与植物和微生物生产者共生，桥接这些隔间，从而连接C和N循环。实验工作将在位于新墨西哥州的塞维利亚国家野生动物保护区（SNWR）内的草原地点进行，利用现有的长期生态研究（LTER）地点。干旱生态系统覆盖了陆地环境的33%，对氮沉降和气候变化非常敏感。 这项工作将为三名研究生和三名本科生研究人员提供教育和培训机会，他们都是来自团体的个人 在科学领域的代表性不足。此外，在新墨西哥州的塞维利亚LTER大学的研究项目作为SNWR教育和推广计划与附近的地方，农村学区的焦点。

THE N CYCLE IN SEMI-ARID GRASSLANDS: A FUNGAL LOOP?Precipitation integrates the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles of terrestrial ecosystems by coupling the production and decomposition of organic matter. In arid regions, this integration is weak because erratic moisture input, high temperature and intense solar radiation reduce biological activity and compartmentalize production and decomposition processes. Our hypothesis is that fungi that are symbiotically linked to both plant and microbial producers, bridge these compartments, thereby connecting the C and N cycles. The experimental work will be conducted at grassland sites within the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR), located in New Mexico, utilizing an existing long-term ecological research (LTER) site. Arid ecosystems cover 33% of the terrestrial environment and are sensitive to N deposition and climate variation. The work will provide educational and training opportunities for three graduate and three undergraduate researchers, all of whom are individuals from groups under-represented in science. In addition, research projects at the University of New Mexico's Sevilleta LTER serve as foci for SNWR education and outreach programs with nearby local, rural school districts.