DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Aquatic effects of a terrestrial invasion: a riparian tree subsidizes carbon and nitrogen with differential consequences for stream ecosystem function

论文研究：陆地入侵的水生效应：河岸树木补贴碳和氮与河流生态系统的不同后果。入侵物种可以影响生态系统功能，如生产力或营养物质的处理。这些影响可以超越入侵发生的栖息地。本研究的目的是评价外来入侵树种（俄罗斯橄榄，Elaeagnus angustifolia）对水生生态系统的影响。与它所取代的原生河岸植被不同，俄罗斯橄榄能够固定氮(N)，将其转化为自身和其他植物可用的形式。因此，俄罗斯橄榄树可以向溪流提供氮，改变养分吸收和藻类生长。这种对河流中氮的改变处理可能导致从入侵流域向下游系统输出更多的氮，从而可能导致营养污染问题。由该奖项资助的研究将通过比较山间西部地区10条入侵和10条未入侵河流的氮输入和生物对氮的需求测量，评估俄罗斯橄榄的这种影响是否在区域尺度上表现出来。对于入侵物种如何影响邻近生态系统的营养物质和食物来源的交换，人们知之甚少。如果俄罗斯橄榄改变了河流中的氮处理，这可能代表了河岸植物入侵的一个不可预见的重大影响。这项研究的结果将为俄罗斯橄榄的管理提供信息，尽管入侵的范围和潜在的影响还处于起步阶段。调查人员将包括本科生研究人员，并将指导一名来自附近的肖肖尼-班诺克保留地的高中实习生，其中一些工作将在那里进行。这项研究将解决影响西部农村社区的水质和人类健康问题。这项研究的结果将广泛地传达给科学界、当地管理人员和一般公众。

Dissertation Research: Aquatic effects of a terrestrial invasion: a riparian tree subsidizes carbon and nitrogen with differential consequences for stream ecosystems. Invasive species can affect ecosystem functions such as productivity or processing of nutrients. These effects can beyond the habitat where the invasion occurs extend. The goal of this research is to evaluate the effects of an invasive non-native tree species (Russian olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia) on aquatic ecosystem processes. Unlike the native riparian vegetation that it replaces, Russian olive is able to fix nitrogen (N) transforming it into a form usable by itself and other plants. As a result, Russian olive trees can supply N to streams, altering nutrient uptake and algal growth. This altered processing of N in streams could result in greater export of N from invaded watersheds to downstream systems which could result in nutrient pollution problems. Research funded by this award will evaluate if this effect of Russian olive is manifested at a regional scale by comparing measurements of nitrogen input and biological demand for N in 10 invaded and 10 non-invaded streams in the Intermountain-West region. Little is known about how invasive species affect the exchange of nutrients and food sources to adjacent ecosystems. If Russian olive alters N processing in streams this could represent a major unforeseen effect of riparian plant invasions. The results from this research will inform management of Russian olive which is in its infancy, despite the invasion's extent and potential impacts. The investigators will include undergraduate researchers and will mentor a high school intern from the nearby Shoshone-Bannock reservation where some of this work will be conducted. This study will address water quality and human health concerns affecting rural communities in the West. Results of this research will be communicated broadly to the scientific community, local managers and the general public.