LTREB: Responses of high elevation, aquatic ecosystems to interannual climate variability and trends in nutrient inputs

湖泊和溪流生态系统将其集水区内的条件与区域气候变化结合在一起。先前对内华达州高海拔水生生态系统的研究结果表明，磷对生物活性的重要性发生了变化。拟议的研究将测试这一假设，即不断变化的雪制度和大气中的磷输入正在推动高海拔湖泊的生态变化。将继续测量内华达州南部山区湖泊和溪流的化学和生物条件，应用先进技术确定大气输入，并分析土壤和沉积物中的磷地球化学，以检验这一假设。 高海拔湖泊是区域环境变化的良好指标，越来越多地被管理机构用于确定大气污染物的临界负荷。此外，山区积雪对西部各州淡水供应的重要性要求特别注意这些系统。 在高海拔地区继续进行20多年的气象、水文、化学和生物测量，将增加其作为区域变化情况探测器的价值。拟议的研究将继续被国家公园管理局用于解释性项目，以展示科学研究在国家公园中的作用。当地高中学生参与研究培养了对自然环境的兴趣，并鼓励这些学生上大学和追求职业生涯。

Lake and stream ecosystems integrate conditions within their catchments and regional climatic changes. Results of prior studies in high elevation aquatic ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada have indicated changes in the importance of phosphorus to biological activity. The proposed research will test the hypothesis that the changing snow regime and atmospheric inputs of phosphorus are driving ecological changes in high elevation lakes. Continued measurements of chemical and biological conditions in lakes and streams in the southern Sierra Nevada, application of advanced techniques to determine atmospheric inputs, and analyses of phosphorus biogeochemistry in soils and sediments will be conducted to test the hypothesis. High elevation lakes are excellent indicators of regional environmental changes and are increasingly being used by regulatory agencies to establish critical loads for atmospheric pollutants. Further, the importance of montane snowpacks to freshwater supplies of the western states mandates that particular attention be paid to these systems. Continuation of more than two decades of meteorological, hydrological, chemical and biological measurements in sites at high elevation will increase their value as detectors of conditions as regional variations occur. The proposed studies will continue to be used by the National Park Service in interpretative programs to demonstrate the role of scientific research in the National Parks. Engagement of local high school students in the studies fosters an interest in natural environments and encourages these students to attend college and pursue professional careers.