Structure, function and dynamics of transitions between plant communities

边界结构影响着景观上相邻生态系统之间的能量、物质和生物体的流动。包括结构在内的边缘特征的差异可能取决于森林类型或边缘的类型和年龄等因素。我的研究项目包括对天然林缘的结构、动态和功能的研究。研究将在马尼托巴省丘吉尔附近和新斯科舍省布雷顿角进行。我的短期项目包括比较不同类型森林中不同结构的森林边缘，调查森林边缘的枯木分解过程，以及建立永久地块来调查边界的时间动态。拟议的研究将深入了解边界结构如何影响森林边缘的模式和过程，评估较老的火灾边缘作为景观上死木的储存库，并启动关于自然边界时间动态的重要长期研究。这些研究的结果将有助于我的长期目标，即开发一个分析模型，预测林分和景观水平特征对边界结构和功能的影响。了解景观格局和过程对于评估森林管理做法、水电开发和气候变化的影响十分重要。这一知识将极大地推动景观生态学领域的发展，目前该领域缺乏关于自然边缘的具体信息。加拿大将受益于更好地了解北方森林的景观格局和过程，特别是在与可持续森林管理和气候变化有关的情况下。

Boundary structure affects flows of energy, material and organisms across transitions between adjacent ecosystems on the landscape. Differences in the characteristics of edges including structue may depend on factors such as forest type or the type and age of edge. My research program includes studies on the structure, dynamics and function of natural forest edges. Research will be conducted near Churchill, Manitoba and in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. My short term projects include a comparison of forest edges of different structure in different types of forest, an investigation of the process of deadwood decomposition at forest edges and the establishment of permanent plots to investigate temporal dynamics of boundaries. The proposed research will provide insight into how boundary structure affects patterns and processes at forest edges, evaluate older fire edges as a reservoir for deadwood on the landscape and initiate important long-term research on the temporal dynamics of natural boundaries. Results from these studies will contribute towards my long-term goal of developing an analytical model that predicts the effects of stand and landscape-level charactistics on boundary structure and function. An understanding of the landscape patterns and processes is important as a context within which to assess the impact of forest management practices, hydroelectric development and climate change. This knowledge will greatly advance the field of landscape ecology which currently lacks specific information on natural edges. Canada will benefit from a greater understanding of landscape patterns and processes in the boreal forest, especially as it relates to sustainable forest management and climate change.