Effects of stress and disturbance on temperate grasslands: linking plant traits and ecosysem function

我研究的主要目的是通过生态学理论的检验，了解温带草原群落和生态系统功能的机制，并为草原生态系统的恢复和保护提供工具。我建议研究压力和干扰(例如放牧)以及这些因素如何影响多样性和竞争。*温带草原的主要压力是干旱。*全球气候变化情景表明，气温将上升，降水模式将发生变化，夏季最热的月份降雨量减少。我提出的这项研究是独一无二的。我计划通过升高温度(通过建造开顶室)和控制供水(通过避雨和加水)来改变草原沿着自然环境生产力梯度的小气候条件。再结合这些非生物因素，将应用放牧的交互效应。我研究的草原大多位于不列颠哥伦比亚省南部的汤普森高原。我的目标是：1.测试生产力如何影响草原对胁迫(干旱)和干扰(放牧)扰动的稳定性。2.评估植物竞争在同一系统中的作用。3利用物种特征预测物种分布、丰富度和群落组成，然后将这些信息与目标1和2联系起来。

The main goal of my research is to understand the mechanics of community and ecosystem functions in temperate grasslands through the testing of ecological theory, and to provide tools to enable restoration and conservation of grassland ecosystems. I propose to study stress and disturbance (e.g. grazing) and how these factors affect diversity and competition.  The major stress in temperate grasslands is drought.  Global climate change scenarios suggest that temperature will increase and that precipitation patterns will be altered, with a reduction in rainfall during the hottest months in the summer. The research I propose is unique.  I plan to alter micro-climatic conditions in grasslands along a natural environmental productivity gradient by increasing temperature (through the construction of 'open-top-chambers') and manipulating water supply (through rain shelters and water additions).  In combination with these abiotic factors, an interacting effect of grazing will be applied.  The grasslands I study are located in the Thompson Plateau in Southern British Columbia. My objectives are: 1. Test how productivity affects the stability of grasslands to perturbations of both stress (drought) and disturbance (grazing).   2 Assess the role of plant competition in the same system. 3 Use species traits to make predictions regarding species distribution, abundance and community composition and then relate that information to objectives 1 and 2.