NSF Org:	DEB Division Of Environmental Biology
Recipient:	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE
Initial Amendment Date:	May 6, 2002
Latest Amendment Date:	May 6, 2002
Award Number:	0206547
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Robert Kelman Wieder DEB  Division Of Environmental Biology BIO  Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	June 1, 2002
End Date:	May 31, 2004 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$10,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$10,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2002 = $10,000.00
History of Investigator:	Whendee Silver (Principal Investigator) wsilver@berkeley.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of California-Berkeley 1608 4TH ST STE 201 BERKELEY CA  US  94710-1749 (510)643-3891
Sponsor Congressional District:	12
Primary Place of Performance:	University of California-Berkeley 1608 4TH ST STE 201 BERKELEY CA  US  94710-1749
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	12
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	GS3YEVSS12N6
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	ECOSYSTEM STUDIES
Primary Program Source:	app-0102
Program Reference Code(s):	9178, SMET
Program Element Code(s):	118100
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.074

ABSTRACT

The dynamics and the stable isotope geochemistry of methane in wet, tropical forest soils are poorly understood, compromising our ability to predict rates of methane flux and 13 C exchange with the atmosphere. Quantifying the source/sink strength and * 13 C signature of methane flux is crucial if we hope to evaluate the role of the tropics in the global methane budget. In systems where redox fluctuates, such as wet tropical forest soils, variations in oxygen influence methane emissions by altering the balance between methanogenesis and methane oxidation. This study explores the effects of oxygen variations on methanogenesis, methane oxidation and 13 C exchange with the atmosphere. Patterns of methane flux and 13 C exchange will be documented across natural gradients of oxygen in the field. Sources and sinks of methane will be identified, both in soil and across the landscape, through gas concentrations and stable isotope analysis. A series of mechanistic laboratory experiments will be performed to explore the effects of oxygen variation on gross methanogenesis, methane oxidation and stable isotope fractionation. This study will advance our knowledge of the factors that regulate methane and 13 C flux from wet tropical forests to the atmosphere.

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